Xie Jue remained sleepless throughout the night, a thin layer of sweat forming on their intertwined palms, yet he did not let go of Fang Chuning’s hand. He kept his eyes open until dawn, consud by a deep fatigue, the fragrance of the dicinal herbs making him slightly uncomfortable. At last, Xie Jue checked the ti and stood, but when he tried to free himself from Fang Chuning’s grasp, Fang Chuning resisted, holding tightly. Xie Jue forcefully broke free before Fang Chuning reluctantly released him.
Xie Jue poured out the decocted dicine, and when he returned to the bedside, Fang Chuning’s eyes were already open, staring at him intently and with a spirited gaze. Xie Jue paused in his steps before continuing forward nonchalantly and sitting on the edge of the bed. Fang Chuning’s palm still seed damp with sweat; silently, he moved his hand aside as though he could still feel the lingering warmth of Xie Jue’s touch.
"Drink your dicine!" Xie Jue spoke softly. Preparing to help him sit up, Fang Chuning furrowed his brows in silent pain, unable to rise. Xie Jue’s glare softened with pity. "Stay lying down."
Fang Chuning did not struggle to get up, silently gazing at him. Xie Jue cooled the dicine and fed it to him without a word. In Fang Chuning’s eyes, Xie Jue saw traces of grievance.
"Does it hurt?"
Fang Chuning shook his head. As the bowl of dicine emptied bit by bit, Fang Chuning rembered how Xie Jue had once cared for him so ticulously during their ti in the West State.
Xie Jue said, "If you’re harboring anger, don’t go picking fights with Zhixu."
"He provoked ."
"Is that so?"
Fang Chuning replied with a hint of grievance, "It hurts, Ting Feng."
"Then speak less."
Xie Jue set aside the bowl. After drinking the dicine, a thin layer of sweat ford on Fang Chuning’s forehead but quickly dissipated. He noticed the snowflakes drifting gently outside the opened window and faintly slled the fragrance of plum blossoms. Xie Jue’s courtyard was not far from the plum garden.
"How badly is Xie Xun hurt?"
"You’re the one who injured him, why ask ?"
Fang Chuning couldn’t help but laugh. But his laughter tugged at his wounds—sorrow follow joy; he groaned in pain. Xie Jue hurried over to check on him. Fang Chuning’s injuries were internal, and Xie Jue could only watch helplessly. The more he examined, the more anger brewed within him—had he and Xie Xun exercised restraint, it wouldn’t have co to this. Both were reckless in their blows, neither holding back.
"Ting Feng, did you not sleep all night?" Fang Chuning asked.
"Mm."
"Lie down here with for a while."
Xie Jue remained seated on the bed’s edge, silent as a statue. Fang Chuning also did not rush him. Xie Jue found himself unable to withstand the overly focused gaze of Fang Chuning’s eyes and finally surrendered. He indeed had not slept, his exhaustion apparent.
But even lying down, sleep evaded him. Sothing weighed heavy on his heart, seeking release. "How long do you plan to stay in the West State?"
"I’m this injured, and you want to drive away?"
Xie Jue hesitated for a mont, then turned to look at him. "Anning, was your injury intentional?"
"No!"
"Good!"
Anything else, he chose not to ask.
Fang Chuning offered a bitter smile, saying, "Growing up, whenever I didn’t want to talk about sothing, I’d just stay quiet—I’d never lie to you."
"I know." Xie Jue replied with no warmth, "How long have you been itching to beat Xie Xun?"
"I’m honestly wronged here—he keeps provoking . I’m puzzled; what unforgivable offense could I have committed to earn his hatred? Why don’t you enlighten ?" Fang Chuning asked casually, a trace of amusent in his tone.
Xie Jue replied, "I wouldn’t know."
"Impossible. He has no secrets from you."
"Well, you’re wrong. He does have secrets." Xie Jue couldn’t help but continue the idle chatter. "Hidden ones, ones he’s careful enough to make up stories to deceive ."
"Really?" Fang Chuning seed doubtful. He chuckled softly but didn’t dwell on the topic. "About Han Ziqi’s proposal—is this business sothing that absolutely must proceed?"
"Is that why you’re asking?" Xie Jue laughed faintly. "The General doesn’t understand and Xie Xun. But you should know—this deal is impossible. Heal up and return to Zhongzhou. Staying here too long wouldn’t be proper."
"... Fine!"
The two lay side by side with perfect propriety, but their hands no longer intertwined!
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