Chapter 95
“Your memory is truly lacking, little one.” Shangguan Ye’s voice was devoid of any emotion, his expression cold and his tone flat. He moved toward Murong Qiufeng with slow, deliberate steps.
Murong Qiufeng felt a chill run down his spine. It was the second time Shangguan Ye had addressed him that way. Catching sight of the man’s grim expression, a sense of unease gripped him. Stammering, he tried to explain, “It… it was just an accident.”
Shangguan Ye abruptly quickened his pace, sweeping his hand forcefully across the table. The zither on it was sent crashing against the wall, shattering into countless splinters. The flying debris cut the other people in the room, leaving wounds eerily similar to the one on Murong Qiufeng’s neck. Cries of pain erupted instantly.
Murong Qiufeng turned pale.
Shangguan Ye leaned forward, pressing his hand on the table for support as his other hand gripped Murong Qiufeng’s jaw. His voice was ice-cold. “An accident? What a convenient excuse. How many more of these accidents do you intend to have? Or is it that my words mean nothing to you? It seems I’ll have to give you a proper lesson for you to take me seriously. Guards! Gather everyone in the Xiang residence. Whatever injuries their young master sustained, they’ll share the same. As for the shadow guards who failed to protect him, report back to the pavilion for punishment.”
“Wait! This has nothing to do with them!” Murong Qiufeng’s eyes widened in panic. Looking at the others clutching their wounds in fear, he knew Shangguan Ye would follow through on his threat. He quickly grabbed the man’s arm to stop him.
In his haste, he inadvertently agitated his wound, drawing in a sharp breath as blood began gushing from his neck like a spring.
Shangguan Ye’s heart clenched at the sight. He immediately pressed his fingers to Murong Qiufeng’s pressure points to staunch the bleeding. Then, with a furious kick, he sent the table flying before scooping the other man into his arms. “Summon Yuxiang to come here immediately, or tell her never to show her face again!” he bellowed, his voice carrying an undeniable authority. Without waiting, he carried Murong Qiufeng away, leaping out of the room with practiced ease and heading straight for the man’s courtyard.
Murong Qiufeng, immobilized by the pressure points, could neither move nor speak. His eyes, however, burned with anger and urgency as he glared at Shangguan Ye. A trace of helplessness and silent plea flickered within them.
Shangguan Ye gently laid him on the bed and sighed in frustration, his expression softening. “Don’t worry, no one will die. I’ve already arranged for someone to handle it. Even your mother’s soul-devouring poison will be dealt with. You should focus on yourself for now.”
He had intended to frighten and punish him properly, but seeing the look in Murong Qiufeng’s eyes, his resolve crumbled. His heart softened despite his intentions.
Murong Qiufeng relaxed slightly. If Shangguan Ye had made such arrangements, it meant everything was under control. Gratitude shone in his eyes.
Shangguan Ye’s gaze darkened. Narrowing his eyes, he said, “It seems I’ll have to keep you locked by my side to feel at ease.”
Murong Qiufeng frowned and gestured with his mouth, signaling for Shangguan Ye to undo the pressure points, as if he had something to say.
Shangguan Ye raised an eyebrow, his hand gently brushing against Murong Qiufeng’s face. “Until your wounds heal, you won’t be speaking. And from now on, leave these matters to me. Focus on recovering. Once you’re better, you’ll return to the prince’s residence.”
Murong Qiufeng grew anxious, and his agitation caused the blood to flow once more from his wound.
Shangguan Ye immediately reactivated the pressure points, his expression hardening. Looking at Murong Qiufeng’s pale lips trembling from exertion, he leaned down abruptly and kissed him. His teeth bit down on the tender flesh of his lips before his tongue slipped through the parted seam, deepening the kiss with a fierce possessiveness.
The sight of blood earlier had nearly stopped Shangguan Ye’s heart. In just three days, he had been subjected to such nerve-wracking scares twice. He felt a primal need to swallow Murong Qiufeng whole, to merge their beings into one.
Murong Qiufeng’s eyes widened in shock, his mind momentarily blank. The sensations from the kiss, however, left him even dizzier, and he struggled to catch his breath.
“Ahem…” Yuxiang arrived in haste, and finding the door ajar, she walked right in. The scene before her froze her in place, her mouth twitching in embarrassment. She turned instinctively to leave.
“Stay.” Shangguan Ye’s voice was low and commanding. He finally released Murong Qiufeng, whose face had regained a hint of color, his dazed eyes soft and unfocused. Shangguan Ye bit Murong Qiufeng’s lip one last time, drawing blood, and licked it away. His voice turned hoarse. “This is only a temporary punishment. I’ll deal with you properly later.” Holding him securely in his arms, Shangguan Ye turned to Yuxiang. “What are you waiting for?”
Yuxiang cleared her throat, awkwardly shifting her gaze. “My lord, how can I assist?” She had hurried over at the guards’ urgent summons, unaware of the situation. Now seeing Murong Qiufeng’s injury, her expression turned grave. “What happened here? Who would dare…?”
Shangguan Ye’s cold gaze darkened. “Don’t waste time asking questions. Focus on treating him.”
Startled by his sharp tone, Yuxiang quickly gathered her tools and got to work. When she saw the deep gash on Murong Qiufeng’s neck, her breath hitched. “This wound… it’s dangerously close to a vital point!”
She sterilized a thin needle with a blue flame emanating from a black stone and prepared fine silver thread. Shangguan Ye followed her instructions to clean the wound and held Murong Qiufeng steady as Yuxiang stitched the jagged edges together.
The sight of the needle piercing flesh made Shangguan Ye’s heart seize painfully. Every stitch felt like it was being sewn into his own chest. His arms tightened around Murong Qiufeng protectively, his body rigid with suppressed tension.
Finally, Yuxiang finished tying off the last knot and applied several layers of ointment and bandages to the wound. She stepped back, her hands trembling slightly. “The wound is sutured, but he must avoid water and rest properly to recover. I’ve given him a sedative to help him sleep.”
She knelt. “My lord, I failed to protect him and am willing to accept any punishment. However, please allow me to finish what needs to be done before I report for discipline.”
Shangguan Ye gave a slight nod, carrying Murong Qiufeng to the bed with utmost care. “Bring hot water and fresh clothes.”
“Yes, my lord.” Yuxiang left swiftly, her eyes gleaming with quiet resolve. Outside, her expression hardened. Those responsible for this… will pay dearly.
