Chapter 0223: Unprepared Xie Chengze, Xie Jinyu Begins Setting the Trap
Xie Chengze picked up the blue jade medicine bottle and patted his shoulder. “Can you still move? Let’s get you to the couch. I’ll apply the medicine for you.”
Xie Jinyu lowered his eyes, his voice soft as if carrying a hint of grievance. “Second Brother, my knees hurt.”
So she had punished him by making him kneel?
He was the Crown Prince! The future ruler of the nation! Even if she was his birth mother, there was no need for such physical punishment! Moreover, Xie Jinyu was already nineteen years old!
Xie Chengze frowned deeply. He crouched down and supported Xie Jinyu’s arm. “Come on, I’ll carry you on my back.”
Those lowered dark eyes flickered slightly. Gazing at Xie Chengze’s completely unguarded back, Xie Jinyu almost imperceptibly curved the corners of his lips upward before leaning his arms forward.
Feeling the firm pressure against his back, Xie Chengze carefully and steadily stood up and walked toward the nearby side couch.
“Second Brother, am I heavy?”
“Not heavy. Your brother isn’t so weak that he can’t carry a person.”
“Am I useless…”
“You really are quite useless.” Though Xie Chengze’s words were scolding, his voice remained gentle. “How old are you? Can’t you think for yourself? If she punishes you, you just take it? Don’t you have legs to run away?”
“Alright, I’ll run next time.” Xie Jinyu leaned close to Xie Chengze’s ear and chuckled softly.
The warm breath brushed against his ear, like fine, sharp strands of hair tickling him, causing the skin on his neck to prickle with goosebumps. Xie Chengze tilted his head slightly and asked, “But where are Father and Eunuch Zhao? Why aren’t they here?”
“Father…” Xie Jinyu seemed unaware of his evasion and pressed his lips closer, whispering, “I heard he went to attend the Peach Blossom Banquet.”
Xie Chengze’s steps faltered for a moment before he continued walking. “Oh, I see…”
Though he appeared calm on the surface, his heart was in turmoil. Xie Chengze’s heart raced, and a trace of guilt flashed in his eyes.
That damned emperor went to the Peach Blossom Banquet?!
Could he have seen me pretending to be a woman and fooling people?!
No, no, that’s impossible. I was in the women’s section. Even if Emperor Jian has immense power, he couldn’t just barge into the women’s area unless he also disguised himself as a woman!
Letting out a slight sigh of relief, Xie Chengze reached the side couch and carefully set Xie Jinyu down. “Since he’s attending the Peach Blossom Banquet, Father should be back soon. Let’s make this quick.”
From any perspective, it wouldn’t be good for Emperor Jian to find out that the Crown Prince had been whipped by the Empress.
Xie Jinyu nodded obediently, his expression meek. “Second Brother… could you help me take off my clothes?”
“Alright.” If Xie Jinyu tried to do it himself, he would likely aggravate the wounds on his back. Without hesitation, Xie Chengze stepped forward and removed Xie Jinyu’s outer robe, then reached for the inner garment, intending to take it off as well.
However, his wrist was suddenly grasped by Xie Jinyu.
“Second Brother, are you really sure about applying the medicine for me?”
Xie Jinyu’s voice was deep, and his expression grew more serious, as if his words carried a hidden meaning. Xie Chengze couldn’t help but glance at him in confusion. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just wanted to say, Second Brother, don’t be frightened.” Xie Jinyu looked up and smiled, his brows curved, and only then did Xie Chengze notice that his lips had grown much paler.
“You should stop talking.” Xie Chengze pressed his head down and began unbuttoning the inner fastenings of his garment.
What could possibly frighten a grown man like him—
The act of undressing abruptly halted, and Xie Chengze’s internal complaints ceased instantly. With only half of his robe removed, the young man’s back was revealed—broad and well-shaped with smooth muscles, a sight that should have been pleasing to the eye. Yet it was marred by numerous slender, ferocious scars, so densely and chaotically scattered that one could hardly bear to look directly.
These were likely the remnants of Xie Jinyu’s childhood whippings. Though they hadn’t thickened with age, their sheer number was staggering, enough to send chills down one’s spine. The fresh wounds from today were particularly thick and gruesome, with split skin oozing visible trails of blood. They crisscrossed against the backdrop of misery and abuse like savage beasts snarling and taunting Xie Chengze.
The Crown Prince, second only to the emperor and above all others, should have been as serene as the moon and breeze, elegant and dignified, enjoying the most esteemed treatment in the world. Yet who could have imagined that such a noble royal body could be subjected to such cruel brutality in the eyes of some?
Xie Chengze clenched the golden palace robe in his hand, slowly lowering it to the young man’s waist. He then opened the jade-green medicine bottle, observing the translucent ointment inside before rising to his feet. “I’ll go wash my hands first,” he said.
Xie Jinyu’s gaze remained fixed on his face, only relaxing when he saw nothing but heartache and anger in Xie Chengze’s expression. “Mm,” he replied softly.
Xie Chengze soon returned, dipping his fingertips into the cool ointment. He carefully applied it to the wounds on the young man’s back, watching as Xie Jinyu trembled slightly—whether from the cold or the pain, he couldn’t tell. A flicker of pity crossed his eyes.
“Second Brother, it hurts so much. Can I talk to you to distract myself?”
Chatting could indeed divert attention and alleviate some of the pain. Xie Chengze nodded. “Alright, go ahead.”
“Second Brother went out of the palace today to meet a friend. Did you see them?”
“Yes, I did.”
“I envy you, Second Brother. I’ve never had a friend. If only I could have gone with you, perhaps I could have made one too.” Though, in truth, he had little interest in forming friendships.
Xie Chengze’s hand paused mid-application, a shadow of guilt flashing in his eyes. If he had taken Xie Jinyu along when sneaking out of the palace, perhaps Xie Jinyu wouldn’t have been beaten.
Xie Jinyu lowered his eyes indifferently, his tone still weak. “Did Shen Yuan go with you, Second Brother?”
“Huh? Yes…”
“Second Brother and Shen Yuan are so close. So close that I feel a little jealous.” Xie Jinyu placed his hand on Xie Chengze’s thigh, gripping it slightly. Though it didn’t hurt, it was enough to capture Xie Chengze’s attention.
Thinking he had caused Xie Jinyu pain, Xie Chengze lightened his touch. “We just get along well, that’s all.”
“Just get along well? Are you and Shen Yuan merely friends?”
“Yes, why do you ask?” Xie Chengze was puzzled by Xie Jinyu’s sudden curiosity.
“Is that so…” Xie Jinyu’s voice was filled with confusion. “But that night, I clearly saw Shen Yuan with you…”
He trailed off, as if struggling to find the right words, and pressed his lips together in silence. This only piqued Xie Chengze’s curiosity, and he leaned in slightly. “Saw what? Which night?”
“That night when we brothers got drunk. I was half-asleep, but I saw Shen Yuan with you, Second Brother…” Xie Jinyu turned his head, his probing gaze lingering on Xie Chengze’s neck, leaving his words hanging.
Xie Chengze subconsciously touched his neck, vaguely recalling the red marks left by the little white tiger. Seeing Xie Jinyu’s hesitant expression, he froze on the spot.
What did he mean by that?
Were those not the little white tiger’s doing?
But rather—made by a person?!
And… by Shen…?
At the thought, Xie Chengze’s entire neck instantly flushed as if stained with red wine, the redness spreading upward until it visibly rushed to his cheeks, leaving him as red as a thoroughly cooked shrimp.