WMSG Chapter 54

Chapter 54: What Shouldn’t Be Said?

Based on Ye Yueshen’s usual frequency of showing repulsion towards him, Gong Xunwu had long prepared to not retaliate verbally or physically, since being in a bad mood wasn’t conducive to healing.

Ye Yueshen being able to quietly stay at Qi Wang Manor to recover from his injuries had already surprised Gong Xunwu once. After all, from what he knew of Ye Yueshen, the latter was always stubborn and wouldn’t listen to advice, only becoming docile through threats.

But this time, Ye Yueshen was more agreeable than before. Gong Xunwu smoothly arranged his bathing, changing of clothes, meals, and drinks. The expected remarks like “Get out, you old pervert,” “I don’t need your help, I can do it myself,” and “I’d rather starve, stay away from me” didn’t appear.

Ye Yueshen occasionally even said he was being a bother, and once, he even said thank you.

It was three days after Ye Yueshen was injured, when his wound started to bleed again. Ye Yueshen woke up in pain from his sleep and called him to help deal with it.

Besides taking care of Ye Yueshen, Gong Xunwu had to take time to deal with some necessary affairs, so he slept quite deeply at night.

He woke up with a start, seeing Ye Yueshen’s pale fingers retracting, his eyes filled with tears. He then suddenly realized he seemed to have heard someone calling him.

Ye Yueshen must have been calling him for a long time before he woke up. Feeling apologetic, Gong Xunwu quickly got up to reapply the medicine and carefully measured out a painkiller pill for Ye Yueshen to take.

Ju Su had anticipated this situation and Gong Xunwu had asked many detailed questions about how to respond in advance. After properly bandaging Ye Yueshen’s wound, he wiped away the cold sweat that had formed on Ye Yueshen’s forehead.

Ye Yueshen quietly gasped, and after his chest’s rise and fall stabilized, he very softly said, “Thank you.”

Gong Xunwu not only didn’t feel happy, but instead felt even more guilty and uneasy, tossing and turning twice within half an hour, completely losing sleep.

And Ye Yueshen was also in too much pain to sleep, hesitating for a long time before asking him, “Did I interrupt your sleep?”

“No.” Gong Xunwu turned over to face him, meeting Ye Yueshen’s eyes. Those eyes were clear and bright, reflecting a sparkling luster in the moonlight. Gong Xunwu felt the urge to kiss his eyelids.

But he wanted to ask Ye Yueshen why he was being so polite even more. Gong Xunwu was silent for a while before asking him, “Does it hurt to sleep on your side?”

“It’s alright.” Ye Yueshen took a deep breath. “Actually, it hurts no matter what position I’m in.”

“I know.” Gong Xunwu reached his hand under the pillow and around Ye Yueshen’s shoulders. By the time Ye Yueshen reacted, he had already encircled Ye Yueshen in his arms.

Fortunately, Ye Yueshen wasn’t angry, acting as if nothing had happened, saying very calmly, “I know you know.” Then he was silent for a moment.

Gong Xunwu indistinctly saw a hint of a smile from the slight curve of his lips, and for a moment, he couldn’t think or speak at all.

“You’ve been injured here.” Ye Yueshen said, reaching out and poking Gong Xunwu’s left rib. “Big brother said you’ve been on the battlefield. I didn’t know that before.”

Gong Xunwu remembered.

As the Qi Wang, he had the privilege to be neglectful of everything. Without realizing it, he carried a sense of ease and freedom. Carelessness had become a part of him.

Unlike the hurried urgency of those below him, he could always think calmly, unbound by borders or time.

Tonight, looking at Ye Yueshen’s tired and fragile eyes, he inadvertently and briefly lost his privilege, saying without thinking, “You think that even if I didn’t lead the troops, Da Zhi would have won even if a monkey was in charge. I didn’t know that before either.”

As soon as he said it, Gong Xunwu regretted it a little. Now, Ye Yueshen was calm and fragile, a picture of complete acceptance without any sharpness. He shouldn’t have answered with such an attitude.

He didn’t know that his gaze towards Ye Yueshen had revealed his nervousness. If Ye Yueshen lost interest in talking because of his words, he would regret it for a long time.

Fortunately, Ye Yueshen only smiled very lightly. The late night made people soft and unguarded, and he sincerely said, “Sometimes I speak without thinking.”

“I know.” Gong Xunwu breathed a sigh of relief. Everything before him was wonderfully unexpected. He couldn’t help wanting to kiss Ye Yueshen, and he would be very satisfied even if it was just his cheek or forehead.

Even his fingers. Gong Xunwu lifted Ye Yueshen’s hand and lightly touched his fingertips with his lips.

Ye Yueshen didn’t react to his actions. He said very naturally, “I know I’m insignificant, so sometimes I have to say sharp words so that those who bully me understand that carrying out their malice will still be a little difficult.”

Gong Xunwu was even more surprised. Ye Yueshen was clearly the Ye family’s beloved third young master, and wherever he went, many people would voluntarily surround him.

Perhaps he was surrounded too closely. Gong Xunwu had never been in close contact with the lively emotions in Ye Yueshen’s eyes before, Gong Xunwu thought.

“It seems Ye Marquis doesn’t have any concubines.” Gong Xunwu couldn’t think of who would have harbored malice towards Ye Yueshen to the point that Ye Yueshen could summarize his experiences.

“Pretend I didn’t say anything just now.” Ye Yueshen closed his eyes. “I want to sleep.”

Gong Xunwu thought he had said the wrong thing. Could it be that Ye Daijin had concubines? It was true that aristocratic families often had scandalous secrets.

Gong Xunwu still maintained his position of holding Ye Yueshen. He could tell from his breathing that Ye Yueshen wasn’t asleep. After a while, he slowly approached Ye Yueshen, stopping when his lips were only a thin piece of paper away from Ye Yueshen’s cheek. He softly said, “You’re not insignificant.”

Ye Yueshen opened his eyes. Actually, he could feel Gong Xunwu’s breath on his face as he spoke. He guessed that Gong Xunwu was very close to him, but he didn’t expect him to be this close.

He suspected that his lips would touch Gong Xunwu’s cheek when he spoke, so he didn’t open his mouth.

Gong Xunwu continued, “Don’t think you’re not smart or quick-witted enough. You’re doing very well.”

He couldn’t say what he felt. Ye Yueshen didn’t think he particularly needed this kind of praise, but he was still comforted.

In that case, it wouldn’t be too much to ask for a hug, right? He thought for a moment. They had slept together, so nothing they did would be strange.

He moved forward slightly, and Gong Xunwu had already taken the initiative to hug him. He lay in Gong Xunwu’s arms, burying his face in Gong Xunwu’s neck, completely enveloped in Gong Xunwu’s warmth.

When he woke up again, it was as if nothing had happened. The Ye Yueshen who had revealed his emotions in the middle of the night seemed to have disappeared. Although he was still fragile and pale, he had sealed off his emotions again.

Gong Xunwu fed him porridge and helped him wash his face and hands, but he didn’t hear him say “thank you” again.

It wasn’t that he had to hear Ye Yueshen’s “thank you.” On the contrary, he didn’t need Ye Yueshen’s gratitude at all. He was just missing the opportunity to expose his emotions.

Ruo Ya had stewed pear soup, but Gong Xunwu didn’t give him a chance to bring it in. He stopped him outside the door, saying ruthlessly, “Don’t feed him any more of the messes you make. He’s a patient.”

Ruo Ya was very hurt, looking at him blankly, unable to speak for a long time.

Gong Xunwu wouldn’t have felt anything from this kind of look before, but at this moment, he felt a little guilty. Although it was completely impossible, he was a little afraid that Ye Yueshen would hear what he said.

He was still cold and self-enclosed, but he didn’t want to be discovered by Ye Yueshen.

“Put the pear soup outside.” Gong Xunwu said, “You can go in and talk to him.”

Ruo Ya’s mood improved a little. He obediently put down the porcelain bowl, but was stopped again by Gong Xunwu just as he was about to go in. “Don’t say what shouldn’t be said.”

Ruo Ya was very innocent. “Your Highness, what shouldn’t be said?”

“Don’t praise his beauty, and don’t touch him when you’re talking.” Gong Xunwu paused. “If he praises you, then your conversation for today is over. You’re not allowed to smile or be happy. Lower your head, avoid his gaze, and come out immediately, understand?”

Ruo Ya understood, but didn’t quite understand. After thinking about it, he retreated. “How about this humble servant doesn’t go in to see Young Master Yue today…”

“Couldn’t be better.” Gong Xunwu turned and left. Ruo Ya wondered if he had seen wrong. Why did Gong Xunwu seem to have a smile on his face?

After Gong Xunwu’s figure completely disappeared, Ruo Ya disobeyed his orders, picking up the pear soup he had stewed and using his shoulder to push open the door to the bedroom, flashing a big smile at Ye Yueshen and saying cheerfully, “Young Master Yue, this humble servant has stewed pear soup for you.”

Ye Yueshen also returned a smile. He looked very weak now, and his complete lack of aggression left him with only his unadulterated beauty.

Even Xi Shi wasn’t as beautiful. Ruo Ya blurted out, “You’re so good-looking.” After he said that, he immediately covered his mouth.

Ye Yueshen was already used to this kind of praise. He was fed a spoonful of sour pear soup by Ruo Ya, enduring the urge to scrunch up his face, and politely praised, “Thank you for taking care of me. You’re the kindest person in Qi Wang Manor.”

Ruo Ya was immediately overjoyed, forgetting all of Gong Xunwu’s instructions.

Near lunchtime, Gong Xunwu returned to feed Ye Yueshen medicine and food. After he came in, he saw the porcelain bowl that hadn’t been cleared away on the low table, with many pear chunks left at the bottom. His face immediately darkened.

“Did Ruo Ya come?” Gong Xunwu asked.

Ye Yueshen was reading a storybook, not having had time to answer yet when the door was pushed open. Ruo Ya was holding a large stack of storybooks with both hands, his shoulder against the door, one foot inside the threshold and one foot outside. He couldn’t come in or turn around to run away.

Ye Yueshen put down the storybook, looking between the two of them and asking, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Gong Xunwu put the porcelain bowl on the ground, placing the food box he had brought in the place where the porcelain bowl had been.

He turned to Ruo Ya and said, “You can go out first. I’ll talk to you later.”

Ruo Ya reluctantly closed the door and left.

Ye Yueshen looked in the direction he left, wondering what Gong Xunwu meant by “I’ll talk to you later.”

What did he want to say behind his back? Ye Yueshen pursed his lips tightly.

Gong Xunwu took out the wontons, scooped one up, blew on it, and fed it to Ye Yueshen’s tightly pursed lips. “Ju Su said there’s no need to drink porridge anymore. The wontons are filled with tofu, fish, and meat. Try them and see if you like them.”

Ye Yueshen opened his mouth after a while, biting off half a wonton and chewing very slowly, as if the food at Qi Wang Manor was very unpalatable.

Gong Xunwu ate the remaining half, finding that it wasn’t unpalatable at all. The flavor was light, very suitable for recuperating.

“Gong Xuyin wants to see you.” Gong Xunwu said, “He came once yesterday, and he’s here again now. Do you want to see him?”

Ye Yueshen slightly tilted his head, refusing to be fed, and asked, “Is he still here?”

“Yes.” Gong Xunwu was still maintaining the position of feeding him, saying, “He’ll wait at the gatehouse for half an hour.”

“I want to see him.” Ye Yueshen reached out his hand. “I’ll eat by myself.”

“You can’t hold it steadily. Don’t strain your wound.” Gong Xunwu asked Sha Ou to tell the gatekeeper to let Gong Xuyin in.

Ye Yueshen didn’t tie up his hair these days while he was bedridden. It was in the way and inconvenient when eating, so he tied a ponytail for himself with a strip of cloth.

Gong Xuyin had been mentally prepared to see Gong Xunwu when he came to the Wang Manor, but he couldn’t hide his surprise when he saw Gong Xunwu feeding Ye Yue ah eat wontons. He greeted Gong Xunwu.

Ye Yueshen politely said, “I’m injured and it’s inconvenient for me to salute Your Highness.”

Gong Xuyin was just about to put on a smile and say something considerate when Gong Xunwu glanced back at him, so he restrained his smile and said very seriously, “What are you saying? How could I let you salute while injured?”

He didn’t know if Gong Xunwu wasn’t satisfied, but he looked back at him again.

Ye Yueshen gently pressed down on Gong Xunwu’s wrist. “I really can’t eat anymore.”

Gong Xunwu discussed it with him. “Just the last one.”

Ye Yue ah hesitated for a moment, but still lowered his head and put the wonton in his mouth. After he chewed and swallowed, Gong Xunwu wiped the corners of his lips with a handkerchief and fed him two more mouthfuls of water.

Gong Xuyin didn’t dare to breathe loudly. He had never been to Qi Wang Manor before, let alone Qi Wang’s bedroom.

The scene before him was too amazing for him. If he didn’t know what kind of relationship they had, Gong Xunwu really seemed like a considerate and patient elder, taking care of his junior very well.

Ye Yueshen said, “I want to say a few words to the Fourth Prince. Do you need to go to work?” The implication was to ask Gong Xunwu to excuse himself.

Asking Qi Wang to excuse himself in Qi Wang’s bedroom, Gong Xuyin’s eyes became strange. He suspected that Ye Yueshen didn’t know what he was saying at all.

Gong Xunwu didn’t answer whether he could or couldn’t, picking up the medicine bowl for him. “Drink the medicine first.”

Ye Yueshen held his breath and drank it all in one gulp, followed by the second bowl. After drinking both bowls, Ye Yueshen’s sense of taste was almost gone. While enduring the urge to gag, he looked up expectantly at Gong Xunwu.

Gong Xunwu put a candied fruit in his mouth, and he felt that the nausea was suppressed a little.

“Sha Ou is waiting outside the door.” Gong Xunwu said to Gong Xuyin before leaving, “Call for someone if you need anything.”

Gong Xuyin quickly agreed, “Yes, yes, Your Imperial Uncle, rest assured.”

Although he knew that there were eyes everywhere in Qi Wang Manor, Gong Xuyin couldn’t help but whisper after Gong Xunwu left, “You’re about to ride on the Ninth Imperial Uncle’s head.”

“That’s not true.” Ye Yueshen said in a faint tone, “There’s only being ridden.”

Gong Xuyin’s eyeballs almost fell to the ground. If Gong Xunwu knew that Ye Yueshen was saying these things to him so bluntly, he would have his tongue cut off.

“You left early that day.” Ye Yueshen said, “You don’t know if you’ve heard about what happened later.”

Gong Xuyin shook his head, then nodded. “The news about this matter is tight, but I can guess some of it.”

Ye Yueshen asked, “What are people saying about my relationship with Qi Wang?”

“People outside don’t know yet.” Gong Xuyin sighed, then paused, seeming to realize something, and asked incredulously, “So you mean… His Majesty already knows?”

Ye Yueshen nodded. “His Majesty could still believe it was just a rumor during the hunting incident last time, but this time, he can’t deny it anymore.”

Gong Xuyin was very concerned. “What did Father say?”

Ye Yueshen’s expression was natural. “I don’t know. He should be the one dealing with it.” “He” naturally referred to Gong Xunwu.

“The Ninth Imperial Uncle treats you really well.” Gong Xuyin carefully weighed his words. “The Ninth Imperial Uncle might…”

Ye Yueshen smiled and shook his head. He didn’t want to discuss this matter. He and Gong Xuyin weren’t particularly close, but Gong Xuyin understood his actions as a helpless wry smile, so he didn’t continue.

The Third Prince Gong Yiyin was now under house arrest, and the other masterminds wouldn’t easily reveal themselves again. It was indeed very difficult for Ye Yueshen to investigate further.

The other concubine who used Account Warm Fragrance became the only clue. Ye Yueshen beckoned to Gong Xuyin. “Help me get another candied fruit. Qi Wang won’t let me eat that much.”

If you want to get information, you have to eliminate suspicion first. Gong Xuyin used a silver pick to get a candied fruit. He offered it in a low position, meaning to hand the pick to Ye Yueshen. Ye Yueshen lowered his head and naturally put the candied fruit in his mouth.

Gong Xuyin was stunned for a moment. He turned around to put the pick back, reciting half a policy essay in his heart. It would be too embarrassing to blush at this time.

He came back and sat closer to Ye Yueshen. Ye Yueshen sighed. “Ah, I didn’t expect to be so seriously injured, and I didn’t expect the Third Prince to want to kill me. I don’t even think I’ve offended him.”

“There are many ‘not killing Bo Ren’ things in the royal family’s intrigues. It’s not necessarily your fault. Don’t worry about it.” Gong Xuyin comforted him. “Now that he’s been spanked and lost his freedom, with the Ninth Imperial Uncle around, there’s no need to worry about not getting justice.”

“Some things can only be said to you. If it weren’t for Qi Wang, the Third Prince wouldn’t have had anything happen to him. When my mother and brothers came to see me that day, in front of Qi Wang, I was more worried about my mother and brothers knowing that I had submitted to Qi Wang than being frightened by the assassination.” Ye Yueshen lowered his eyes, looking very downcast, as if he had really spoken an unspeakable secret.

Gong Xuyin reached out to pat his hand to comfort him, but only patted it once before retracting his hand, feeling a chill run down his spine. “Zhe Rong…”

“I know.” Ye Yueshen squeezed out a smile. “I won’t say it anymore.”

Gong Xuyin sighed very lightly.

Ye Yueshen seemed to turn the page quickly. Gong Xuyin saw a hint of reluctance that he didn’t want to face.

“There’s a eunuch named Yuan Bao beside the Third Prince.” Ye Yueshen seemed to say casually, “He doesn’t look simple at all.”

Gong Xuyin nodded. “Which master doesn’t have a loyal dog? But Yuan Bao isn’t the Third Prince’s main eunuch, but he does seem to have some knowledge. He only started following the Third Prince out of the palace not long ago.”

Ye Yueshen seemed to be hearing this for the first time. “Good fortune or misfortune, when he was gaining favor in front of the Third Prince, did he ever think he would fall so heavily today…”

“That’s not known.” Gong Xuyin was also a little silent when he thought of this. What saddened him wasn’t the Third Prince and Yuan Bao, but the ever-changing imperial status.

“Speaking of which, I had an impression of Yuan Bao before.” Ye Yueshen seemed to be recalling, “The time I offended your close attendant for the sake of the Fifth Prince…”

Gong Xuyin laughed. “You and I can be considered to have become friends after a fight, but you don’t seem like someone who would meddle in our affairs.”

“Do I look like that?” Ye Yueshen asked casually.

“That’s how you are.” Gong Xuyin was nodding as he spoke. He said very definitely, “You lean more towards compassion than bravery. You wouldn’t interfere in our disputes upwards, but you would persuade and resolve troubles downwards.”

Ye Yueshen suddenly hesitated a little. What Gong Xuyin said seemed to be somewhat correct.

After pausing for a while, he smiled. “It’s said that ‘the person involved is confused, but the onlooker sees clearly.’ Maybe you’re right, but I just don’t realize it myself.”

Ye Yueshen’s eyes turned. “I wouldn’t have seen it that day, but when I was about to leave, I met Yuan Bao. He told me that the wintersweets were blooming on the west side of the Imperial Garden, and he enthusiastically pointed me in the direction. He left without waiting for me to thank him or give him a reward.”

“You said he pointed you in the direction of the wintersweets?” Gong Xuyin asked. He looked natural, but his fingers unconsciously intertwined.

Ye Yueshen pretended not to see it. “Yes, at the time I thought he was kind and perceptive, and didn’t care about rewards. Who would have thought that he also contributed to the Third Prince’s attempt to kill me.”

“People’s hearts are separated by their bellies.” Gong Xuyin clicked his tongue. “You have to be careful in the future. Don’t think everyone you meet is a good person. Look at this year, you argued with me over the Fifth Prince to the ears of the emperor and empress dowager, and you provoked…”

He didn’t dare to say directly that Ye Yueshen had provoked Gong Xunwu, pausing and sighing. “Now you’ve suffered such a serious injury, you have to be careful in the future.”

Ye Yueshen smiled. “I know. My mother and brothers have already told me once.”

Gong Xuyin said a few more words to him and got up to leave, his expression never showing anything out of the ordinary from beginning to end. He seemed not at all guilty that Yuan Bao had also appeared that day.

Ye Yueshen couldn’t get up to see him off. Sha Ou saw him off instead. Gong Xunwu came in just after Gong Xuyin was sent out, pacing back and forth in the room.

Ye Yueshen still pretended not to see what he was checking. “I gave him some hints just now. Can you help me have someone watch him for a few days?”

This wasn’t difficult for Gong Xunwu. He sat down by the bed, meeting Ye Yueshen’s clear, lake-like eyes, and pointed to his own cheek with his finger.

Ye Yueshen understood, but didn’t act, instead saying, “Then come closer to me. It’s inconvenient for me because I’m injured.”

Gong Xunwu didn’t necessarily want him to kiss him. It was the same who kissed who, as long as the person was right. The act of asking just now was to find out Ye Yueshen’s attitude.

Since Ye Yueshen allowed it, Gong Xunwu kissed Ye Yueshen’s cheek, followed by a very quick kiss on Ye Yueshen’s lips.

Ye Yueshen blinked and didn’t say anything.

Gong Xunwu sent Yan Kui to follow Gong Xuyin personally. The next day, he discovered that Gong Xuyin had gone to prison to see Yuan Bao, and was rejected when he tried to bribe the jailers. The emperor forbade anyone from seeing Yuan Bao.

Gong Xuyin was very good at dealing with people, still leaving all the money with the jailers, telling them to buy some good wine. The jailers understood what he meant, and quickly said that they wouldn’t report his visit to the emperor.

However, Yan Kui didn’t know if they eventually told the emperor or not.

Gong Xunwu relayed this matter to Ye Yueshen. Having been mentally prepared by the previous Account Warm Fragrance incident, Ye Yueshen wasn’t surprised at all that Gong Xuyin had gone to see Yuan Bao.

“He couldn’t hold back after all.” Ye Yueshen frowned. “So it’s very likely that Yuan Bao saw something that day. In order to clear himself, he tricked me into going there. The other party really thought I had seen it, which is why I was chased.”

Gong Xunwu didn’t speak, also thinking.

Ye Yueshen had already been convinced by this logic. “The Fourth Prince said that Yuan Bao wasn’t qualified to be by the Third Prince’s side before, no wonder… He must have used what he saw to earn the Third Prince’s favor.”

Gong Xunwu finally spoke. “You dodged the pursuit several times and weren’t silenced. Gong Yiyin was afraid that the other party would realize after a long time that you didn’t know anything, and further investigate that Yuan Bao had directed you to see the wintersweets, so he became nervous and acted against you.”