26

The cool sensation melted into the heat, breath and life passing through scalding lips and tongues.

Jing Xuan had kissed Gu Fang before, but those were always moments of confusion and desire, driven by instinct. Each time, Gu Fang was so dominant and forceful that he had no room to think, to perceive, to experience.

So, rather than a kiss, it had always felt like a predetermined step in a ritual of lust.

But at this moment, he was clear-headed. Gu Fang was clear-headed too.

He could clearly see Gu Fang closing his eyes as he leaned in. His long, straight lashes, like the tails of birds landing softly on a branch, pressed down in the water, hiding all traces of desire from those deep, dark eyes.

All he could feel was the light brush of their noses, the seamless touch of their lips.

He could have simply straightened his body and risen above the water to breathe. He could have done that. But for some reason, when he looked at Gu Fang’s quietly lowered lashes, he suddenly remembered that fleeting, wordless loneliness from earlier.

And so, as if bewitched, he did not stand up. He did not push Gu Fang away. He only stared at him blankly, wide-eyed, like a fool—forgetting even to draw breath.

It wasn’t until Gu Fang let out a quiet sigh, grasped his waist, and deepened the kiss with a scorching breath that had been held back for too long that Jing Xuan finally snapped back to his senses.

Crap, crap, crap....

He was going to suffocate....

Desperation kicked in, and he instinctively followed his survival instincts, greedily gasping for any air he could steal.

His fingers clutched tightly at the front of Gu Fang’s robes, as if afraid he would escape. His tongue, panicked and frantic like a lost little beast, stumbled and thrashed—caring for nothing but air, heedless of anything else.

Heartless thing....

If he hadn’t been skilled at holding his breath since childhood, with the way this fool was sucking at him, they both would have drowned by now.

Gu Fang was utterly exasperated.

But what could he do?

This spoiled brat had been pampered since birth, never knowing hardship.

Gu Fang could only sacrifice his own ability to breathe, trying to make it easier for Jing Xuan.

Yet he had underestimated just how enticing this young, vibrant body was to him.

The thin inner robe, soaked through by the water, clung tightly to his skin. The soft, delicate limbs squirmed restlessly in his arms, and those lips and tongue kept clumsily seeking, pleading for more.

Every movement, every expression, was a perfect illustration of throwing oneself into another’s embrace.

Gu Fang had no intention of being improper. But he couldn’t stop himself from recalling that poem:

"In the Mandarin Duck Pool, the mandarin ducks bathe; beneath the Xiang King, the Xiang clouds rise."

Your Majesty, seducing me like this, you’re simply begging to be....

Gu Fang’s fingers tensed, knuckles white, veins standing out.

Jing Xuan felt the sharp pain at his waist and was about to curse when, suddenly, the heat of the love gu within him surged violently.

And then, through the paper-thin fabric, he distinctly felt something hot and solid press against him.

At the same time, he became painfully aware of his own body’s deep-seated yearning and fervent response to Gu Fang.

"...."

Had he just... used his tongue to kiss Gu Fang back?!

Jing Xuan was instantly wide awake.

He shoved Gu Fang away.

He tried to surface.

Only to be dragged right back down with a splash.

As if punishing him for his earlier selfishness and greed, not only did Gu Fang pull him back, but he also stopped giving him air, turning the kiss into a true act of domination.

Jing Xuan had no idea what this kiss meant.

Perhaps it was a retaliation against the restraint and sorrow from before....

Perhaps it was a punishment for his reckless, thoughtless taking....

Perhaps it was merely a biological response, driven by the parasite’s influence....

But whatever the reason, this searing, deliberate kiss was something Jing Xuan couldn’t possibly endure.

Because the one kissing him was Gu Fang.

The Gu Fang he had called "Uncle" since childhood.

The Gu Fang whom civil and military officials alike respectfully addressed as Prince Xiangding.

Not Zhaoyi Fang.

Not the fleeting illusions beneath a full moon.

Just Gu Fang—fully awake and aware.

And through the steam and haze of the water, he could faintly hear muffled voices rising from the shore.

Had Gu Fang lost his mind?!

But what was even more terrifying than Gu Fang losing his mind was that, under such despicable circumstances, his body actually wanted to respond, rather than resist.

If this continued, he and Gu Fang would be ruined for life!

Jing Xuan was almost more calm, rational, and quick to make the correct decision than Gu Fang had ever been in his life.

With all his strength, he pushed Gu Fang away, "Splashing" out of the water, trying to struggle onto the shore.

And then he stepped on his own robe.

With a "whoosh," the sound echoed, and with the gate opening again, Jing Xuan, under the watchful eyes of all the ministers, according to the original plan, "thud!"—fell firmly into the bath, in a position only fitting for an emperor eating dirt.

Jing Xuan: "..."

Jiang Yue: "..."

Hua Song: "..."

Jiang Yingxue: "..."

"Not good! His Majesty fell while being with Zhaoyi Fang during intimate moment! Imperial Physician! Quickly send for the Imperial Physician!"

The eunuch sharp and mournful voice echoed throughout the entire palace.

Jing Xuan closed his eyes, wishing he could faint to escape it all.

—

"Absolutely outrageous!"

Jing Xuan staggered, and naturally, Grand Consort became the most esteemed person in the entire entourage.

Upon hearing the imperial physician's diagnosis, "A severe blow to the head and internal bleeding, he may fall into a coma for a few days, at least requiring a month's rest," she immediately swept her wide sleeves and smashed the walnuts and nuts on the table, causing them to crash onto Jiang Yue sitting at the lower end of the table.

Jiang Yingxue was unfortunately hit by two of them and quickly bowed her head in apology.

"Aunt, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have had any conflict with Zhaoyi Fang, causing the fall that led to His Majesty’s grave condition. Aunt, please grant me the death penalty!"

"This matter is not of your doing, but death can be spared, yet the living punishment cannot be avoided!" Grand Consort, enraged, said, "You and Zhaoyi Fang will both be locked up in the Guanyin Temple in the back mountains, praying day and night and copying scriptures for His Majesty’s recovery. Until His Majesty wakes, you two shall not leave. Those who disobey will be sent to Mount Sai Temple for life!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Jiang Yingxue responded fearfully.

Jiang Yue wanted to intercede, but Grand Consort pointed at him, signaling him to remain silent.

"And you! Don’t think that your little schemes are unnoticed. I’ve said before that I have my own plans. You didn’t believe me, and now look at what’s happened. If it weren’t for me putting my life on the line and promising benefits to Hua Song, you would have been slandered and dismissed from office for treason. Now, I’ll only punish you by reducing your salary for a year. But now, what do you plan to do to salvage this situation?"

"I don’t know either!" Jiang Yue truly couldn’t understand. Everything had been going smoothly, so how did it end up like this?

He had initially wanted to let everyone see Jing Xuan and Jiang Yingxue, a lonely man and woman, alone in the same room. He intended to use Jiang Yingxue's reputation as leverage to force Jing Xuan to give his daughter a legitimate position. This way, Jiang Yingxue would be able to rely on her charms to gain favor, and it would be all in order for her to bear children.

But when everyone saw the scene, they witnessed Jiang Yingxue calmly staying out of sight behind a screen, while it was Zhaoyi Fang, half-clothed, who was being held by Jing Xuan in the melting pool.

Although it was unclear due to the fog, as a minister, one would have immediately turned away, but it was clear there was an intimate scene unfolding.

Had the Emperor truly become so devoted to Zhaoyi Fang to the extent that even her charm could no longer work?

Jiang Yue couldn’t fathom it.

He was sure there was some trickery involved, but the imperial physician had reported that aside from the injury to His Majesty’s head, his internal organs were also in a weak state, with his liver and kidneys in a poor condition, and the fire in his body not flourishing, a clear sign of being under the influence of poison.

So there couldn’t be any tricks involved.

Jiang Yue was still trying to figure it out when Grand Consort gave him a chance to speak.

She sighed deeply, "Forget it, my father was useless, and my elder brother, you are the only one I can rely on. Even if I’m angry, what can I do to you?"

Jiang Yue hurriedly bowed, "Your Majesty, please do not be angry."

"It’s not about being angry, it’s about the future," Grand Consort continued. "After so much turmoil, remember to be cautious in the coming days, speak carefully, and be mindful of your actions. If there’s another incident, what if His Majesty were to... pass suddenly, and Jing Yi is still young, who would we rely on?"

Grand Consort's words were full of meaning, carrying an implicit warning.

Jiang Yue immediately understood, startled. Yes, Jing Xuan’s reluctance to resolve the charm poison might not be such a bad thing after all.

After all, as Jing Xuan grew older, he would become increasingly difficult to control. It might be better to let him weaken further and die early, so they could support a new young ruler.

Jiang Yue immediately became solemn and bowed seriously, "This minister obeys, and I hope Your Majesty will take care of your health and rest assured, I will handle it!"

—

"So, Jiang Yue has already left and promised Grand Consort to let you rest for a month or two without causing you any more distress. Your Majesty, do you still want to pretend?"

After Zhaoyi Fang was punished and sent to the Guanyin Temple, Gu Fang quickly changed into a plain, inconspicuous robe and under the cover of confusion, returned to the Zheyun Hall.

Inside Zheyun Hall, Jing Xuan was still lying motionless on the bed.

Although the fall seemed severe, Gu Fang had already reacted quickly, cushioning his head with his hand, so Jing Xuan was not seriously harmed.

If there was any pain, it was probably more from Gu Fang's hand.

But he refused to wake up, because once he did, he would have to see Gu Fang's face.

Every time he saw Gu Fang's face, he would remember the kiss when Gu Fang woke him up.

And thinking of that kiss, he couldn't help but want to ask why Gu Fang was acting so crazy.

But he didn't dare to ask.

He didn't know why, but he just couldn't bring himself to ask.

He subconsciously felt that if he asked, the brief peace they had achieved through mutual interests would shatter instantly, and the gap between them would grow even wider.

And that gap might be even greater than before.

Jing Xuan truly didn't understand, but he had this strong feeling nonetheless.

So he decided to pretend to be unconscious, pretending until he couldn't keep it up anymore.

He thought he was pretending well, but his eyelashes fluttered like a little bird caught in a trap, struggling with all its might.

It was just like when he was a child, pretending to be sick when he was anxious.

Back then, he always had someone to protect him, but now no one was there to help him.

Gu Fang's lips curled into a faint smile, a mix of affection and indulgence, but his words pierced straight to Jing Xuan's core: "If you don’t wake up soon, I’ll have no choice but to heat the medicine for you again."

Jing Xuan was about to sit up to stop him, but he quickly realized Gu Fang was trying to trick him, so he held himself back.

Gu Fang picked up the bowl of medicine from the bedside and stirred it with a spoon. "If you don’t wake up, I’ll have to go investigate the case myself."

Leaving the palace would trigger the poison and kill him. Only a fool would believe that.

Jing Xuan remained still.

Gu Fang lightly tapped the side of the bowl with the spoon, sighing deeply. "Since His Majesty is so severely injured and unable to take the medicine, I’ll have to administer it myself."

After speaking, the sound of drinking the medicine echoed, and Jing Xuan’s cheeks were pinched between fingers. Shortly after, a shadow fell over him.

 "?"