Chapter 0225: Who Is the Master in Charge, and Who Is the Golden Canary

Xie Chengze was worried about the unapplied medicine on Xie Jinyu’s back wounds and hurried toward Cheng Huan Palace with quickened steps.

When he reached the bedchamber, he paused, lingering hesitantly at the doorway.

If Xie Jinyu had dared to act so boldly earlier in the Imperial Study, who knew how unrestrained he might become in the unsupervised Cheng Huan Palace?

Unintentionally, Xie Chengze recalled the time when Xie Jinyu had just returned to the capital from Yi Province. Under the pretext of visiting the sick, Xie Jinyu had sat by his bed and gripped his neck. Xie Chengze instinctively touched his neck, thinking of finding an ally who could protect him and keep Xie Jinyu in check.

But who could possibly restrain Xie Jinyu?

Xie Chengze instinctively thought of that tall, burly man and was about to turn and instruct Wuji to fetch Xie Shoujun from Wu De Hall when Xie Jinyu’s nonchalant voice came from behind the door, “Second Brother, why have you been standing outside for so long without coming in?”

Xie Chengze froze like a kitten held by the scruff of its neck. He turned stiffly and forced a dry laugh, “The sunset glow outside is quite beautiful. I couldn’t help but admire it for a while.”

Don’t be afraid, Wuhen and Wuji are here too.

Besides, who would want to damage their own “precious treasure”?

Taking a slight, deep breath, Xie Chengze stepped into the bedchamber as if marching to his doom.

As soon as he entered, Xie Jinyu clung to him like an affectionate puppy, reaching past his shoulders to firmly latch the door. He wrapped his arms around Xie Chengze’s waist and buried his head in the crook of his neck.

The Crown Prince’s dark golden robes had been removed at some point, leaving only a thin, smooth white inner garment, loosely cinched at the waist by a plain belt. The gilded bronze crown symbolizing his supreme status had long been taken off, and his ink-black, silky hair cascaded like a waterfall down his back, tied with a golden, patterned hair ribbon into a twin-flower shape.

He pressed Xie Chengze against the door but made no inappropriate or offensive moves. Instead, he simply leaned against him, gently inhaling his scent, and sought a reason to live through the clearly pulsating vein in Xie Chengze’s neck.

Xie Chengze did not resist, allowing him to lean in. His gaze fell on the beautifully tied hair ribbon, and he reached up to fiddle with it lightly. Unexpectedly, the ribbon slipped loose, sliding down with the strands of hair. Though Xie Chengze caught it deftly, the tied-up hair cascaded wildly, spilling into the narrow space where their faces and necks pressed together.

It tickled. Xie Chengze brushed the strands aside, and Xie Jinyu looked up at him in response. In the dimly lit room, his eyes resembled starlight submerged in the depths of a dark sea, lending his handsome, spirited face a touch of melancholy and subtle grace, like a golden canary trapped in a bedchamber, silently lamenting its master’s neglect and indifference.

Yet, in truth, it was the golden canary that sought to ensnare its master.

Beneath the tender, dependent attachment lay hidden ambition and obsession, while the one who seemed to occupy the master’s position remained naive and soft-hearted.

“Shall I… tie it up for you again?” Xie Chengze asked, holding the hair ribbon and rubbing his nose.

Xie Jinyu hummed softly in agreement, then bent down, scooped Xie Chengze into his arms, and strode toward the bed.

His body suddenly felt weightless. Xie Chengze let out a soft hum as he looked at himself being carried princess-style. He silently closed his eyes, hypnotizing himself into believing he was just a pillow—and Xie Jinyu was merely treating him as her beloved “Abebe” comfort pillow.

With this self-hypnosis, his tense body gradually relaxed. Once seated on the bed, he gazed at Xie Jinyu’s cascading hair and cleared his throat. “Let me tie your hair first, then apply the medicine.”

Xie Jinyu didn’t speak, only nodding in response.

Her hair was fine, long, and abundant—unremarkable at first glance, but surprisingly voluminous when held. He touched the smooth hair ribbon, then observed the ample strands capable of various styles. Unable to resist the itch in his hands, he intertwined the ribbon with her hair, eventually braiding it into a thick, long plait. To prevent it from loosening, he tied a tight knot at the end.

He draped the braid over Xie Jinyu’s right shoulder, tilting his head to admire it for a moment before chuckling involuntarily.

Xie Jinyu touched the braid, her eyes puzzled as she looked at him. “Is it not pretty?”

“Pretty, very pretty. Our Jinyu is the most beautiful.” Xie Chengze hurriedly praised, though inwardly he thought: I should braid Shen Yuan’s hair like this too—no, make it two braids. It would surely be hilarious.

Pulling a jade-green medicine bottle from his sleeve, Xie Chengze applied the ointment to Xie Jinyu’s wounds. This time, she remained obedient and didn’t cause any trouble. After finishing, he forbade her from putting on the blood-stained inner garment and made her lie prone on the bed until the medicine was fully absorbed.

When Xie Chengze moved to fetch a clean inner garment from the wardrobe, Xie Jinyu grabbed his hand. “Don’t go.”

He stared at her for a long moment but didn’t leave. Instead, he asked, “Jinyu, there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you…”

He rarely spoke with such seriousness. Xie Jinyu’s eyes flickered, instinctively sensing she might not like the question.

Second Brother is different from that person.

He’s gentle and kind-hearted, but also too perceptive and blunt—always dragging things into the light, leaving those hiding in the shadows no escape.

“Must you ask…” She instinctively wanted to evade, yet desperately wished for Xie Chengze to ruthlessly expose their distorted relationship. She wanted to indulge more recklessly, shifting the blame onto her outspoken, unguarded elder brother.

“Yes.” Xie Chengze nodded gravely. “And you must answer.”

Resistance warred with a primal urge within her. Clenching the hand beneath hers, she couldn’t conceal the emotions betrayed by her trembling fingers. “What does Second Brother wish to ask?”

“You…” Xie Chengze paused, observing the shifting shadows in her eyes before speaking solemnly, “…what would you like to eat tonight?”

…

…

…

Xie Jinyu: ?

Xie Chengze maintained a perfectly earnest expression. “Deciding what to eat is mentally taxing. As your elder brother, I entrust this heavy responsibility to you.”

His demeanor showed no hint of jest. Xie Jinyu watched him, then lowered her head and smiled faintly after a moment.

“Yes, it is almost dinnertime.”

What a pity.

I thought… Second Brother was losing his patience.

Can I allow myself to be even more self-indulgent?

The destructive urge within him slowly ignited at this moment. Unwilling to give up so easily, Xie Jinyu lowered his gaze and reached for Xie Chengze’s ankle. His fingers trailed upward along the trouser leg, deliberately pressing down each time they brushed against the skin of the calf, leaving faint red marks.

Like exclusive stamps.

Xie Chengze looked down at his audacious behavior. The more shocked he felt, the calmer he became.

Fine, Shen Yuan was right—he shouldn’t get too close to Xie Jinyu.

But if he kept his distance, who knew what this kid might do next.