Chapter 112:
Xue Fangli: “…”
The issue wasn’t with taking the medicine; it was seeing Jiang Juan’s eyelashes wet with tears that made Xue Fangli feel troubled.
He enjoyed making Jiang Juan cry, but not like this.
Xue Fangli had no intention of taking the medicine. Jiang Juan misunderstood his reluctance. Thinking Xue Fangli was avoiding the bitter taste, Jiang Juan decided to take a sip himself.
But before he could get close, a hand reached out and pinched Jiang Juan’s face. “Spit it out.”
Jiang Juan’s brows furrowed in distress, but he shook his head. He tried to push Xue Fangli’s hand away, but the grip tightened. Xue Fangli insisted, “Hurry up.”
Feeling uncomfortable under the tight grip, Jiang Juan had no choice but to spit out the medicine. “What are you doing?”
Xue Fangli’s tone was stern. “Are you just drinking the medicine haphazardly?”
“It’s not haphazard,” Jiang Juan said. “If you’re not going to drink it, I had to feed you myself. Who wants to drink your medicine?”
Having been scolded for trying to be helpful, Jiang Juan felt wronged. With a “bang,” he slammed the medicine bowl on the table. Not only did he refuse to feed Xue Fangli, he didn’t even want to handle it himself. “You drink it yourself.”
The bitter taste lingered in Jiang Juan’s mouth. He wanted to eat something to counteract the taste but was worried Xue Fangli wouldn’t take his medicine properly. So, he grudgingly watched Xue Fangli.
Xue Fangli clicked his tongue. “When I make you take medicine, you refuse even after a lot of coaxing. But now that it’s not your medicine, you insist on feeding it to me. Aren’t you afraid of the bitterness?”
“Of course I’m afraid of bitterness,” Jiang Juan turned his head away, not wanting to look at him. Xue Fangli tilted his head to meet Jiang Juan’s gaze.
“Go away,” Jiang Juan mumbled. “Seeing you is annoying.”
Knowing why Jiang Juan was upset, Xue Fangli smiled. “Isn’t it a bit too much to be angry just because I don’t want you to feed me medicine?”
Jiang Juan said, “It is. You’ve fed me before; why can’t I do the same?”
“There’s no reason.”
Jiang Juan stared at him, surprised at Xue Fangli’s unreasonable stance.
“You’re spoiled and afraid of bitterness and hardship,” Xue Fangli said flatly. “I don’t want you to experience even a bit of suffering.”
Jiang Juan was taken aback. Xue Fangli then reached over, picked a preserved fruit from the fruit plate, and fed it to Jiang Juan.
Jiang Juan instinctively opened his mouth and let the sweet preserved fruit melt in his mouth, masking the bitter taste of the medicine.
“Is it sweet?”
“… Yes.”
Xue Fangli lowered his gaze. “This is what you should be eating.”
Jiang Juan was caught off guard by the statement. He paused in chewing the preserved fruit.
Since Jiang Juan wouldn’t feed him the medicine, Xue Fangli had no choice but to drink it himself. He drank the medicine without showing any discomfort, maintaining his composure.
“You…”
The preserved fruit was sweet, but Jiang Juan felt a pang of sadness. He gazed at Xue Fangli for a long time before leaning in and hugging his neck.
“Give me a kiss.”
Jiang Juan actively sought a kiss from Xue Fangli.
Xue Fangli lowered his eyes but didn’t move. Jiang Juan understood that Xue Fangli was worried about the bitterness affecting him, so he said, “You told me to care for you more, and I want to. But you’re refusing. Why are you being so contradictory?”
“I’m afraid of bitterness, but…”
Jiang Juan continued slowly, “I’m not someone who can’t endure any hardship. I can share your suffering and endure it for you, as long as you comfort me.”
“You know, I’m so weak; a kiss from you would make me more obedient.”
Jiang Juan fluttered his eyelashes, gazing steadily at Xue Fangli. His eyes were pure, with no reservation, and entirely sincere.
“I want to care for you, too.”
Jiang Juan added.
Xue Fangli looked at him for a few seconds. His crimson lips curled slightly. He lowered his head as if to kiss Jiang Juan but stopped midway. Their breaths mingled as they were so close.
“Can you endure my suffering?”
Xue Fangli’s voice was slow and gentle. “There’s nothing much for you to suffer, but as for other things—you might be able to enjoy them to the fullest.”
Jiang Juan blinked in confusion, about to ask what other things Xue Fangli meant, but before he could, Xue Fangli kissed him.
The sweetness of the preserved fruit seemed to extend to the kiss, which was as sweet as could be. Perhaps Xue Fangli was so content that he hungrily took in Jiang Juan’s breath.
As Jiang Juan sat in Xue Fangli’s lap, being kissed, his waist was firmly massaged. Before long, he turned into a limp heap, his strength drained as he rested his hand on Xue Fangli’s.
“Your Highness…”
Jiang Juan pulled back slightly, as if he couldn’t bear it anymore and wanted to end the kiss, but what he said wasn’t that.
Jiang Juan asked, “Is it sweet?”
Xue Fangli: “Sweet.”
Xue Fangli paused for a moment. His fingers traced Jiang Juan’s reddened lips, his voice husky. “Isn’t a kiss enough to show I care for you?”
Jiang Juan shook his head. “It’s not.”
“Then if it’s sweet, kiss me more.”
Jiang Juan smiled at him, his youthful face bright with moisture. He gently clasped Xue Fangli’s fingers, offering himself without reserve.
“I’ll take care of you. You can kiss me for as long as you want. I’ll let you touch me however you want.”
Recently awakened, the two of them became entangled. Jiang Juan had been sitting on Xue Fangli’s lap but was soon laid on the table.
His clothes were loosened, his bare back pressed against the cold surface of the table. The chill made Jiang Juan’s eyelashes tremble, but he clung to Xue Fangli’s neck, burying his face in his shoulder out of fear.
He meant it when he said Xue Fangli could touch him however he wanted.
Xue Fangli had nearly stripped him and placed him on the table. Jiang Juan took it as Xue Fangli no longer cared about being polite.
But that wasn’t the case.
“What are you afraid of?”
The person nestled in his arms, nervously biting his knuckles, showed obvious anxiety. Xue Fangli wrapped one arm around him and used the other hand to soothe his neck.
Jiang Juan had been touched multiple times. His black hair spread out and became damp, sticking to his snowy-white neck, with his fingertips turned an alarming red.
He panted softly, his voice wet and tantalizing, “Could you… be gentler?”
As Xue Fangli moved his hand away, he asked Jiang Juan, “What do you mean by gentler?”
“It’s just…”
Jiang Juan’s fingertips were red, and his face flushed a deep shade. He looked up at Xue Fangli, unable to say it aloud.
“Hmm?”
Xue Fangli pressed on, knowing full well what Jiang Juan meant.
Jiang Juan forced himself to overcome his embarrassment. “If you want…”
He couldn’t finish, and Xue Fangli chuckled lightly, asking, “Want what?”
“…me.”
Jiang Juan finally managed to say it, though he buried his face in Xue Fangli’s chest, his entire body tinged with a soft pink, his fingers tightly clutching Xue Fangli’s sleeve.
It was quite the sight.
Xue Fangli gazed at him for a long moment before saying, somewhat regretfully, “Not today.”
Jiang Juan blinked, relieved yet curious. “Why not?”
Xue Fangli replied, “Because of your heart condition.”
Xue Fangli had previously consulted with Imperial Physician Sun. Light affection was fine, but actual intimacy could be unpredictable, especially with Jiang Juan’s recurring heart issues. His health needed to be fully restored first.
“We need to take care of your health.”
A few days ago, when Jiang Juan had fallen unconscious, the Imperial Physician Courtyard was at a loss. Chief Steward Wang had called in several doctors, but none could help. Eventually, someone mentioned a renowned healer.
Hua Ling.
A celebrated healer in Jiangnan, known for his miraculous skills, like a reincarnation of Hua Tuo. Xue Fangli planned to invite him to the capital to care for Jiang Juan’s health.
Upon hearing this, he hesitated to say something but didn’t.
Jiang Juan felt a mix of emotions. Relief, but also guilt.
He was relieved he wouldn’t have to endure pain today, but he had been deceiving Xue Fangli all along. His supposed heart condition was entirely fabricated.
Should he come clean?
Jiang Juan placed a hand over his heart, lost in thought.
“What’s wrong?”
Noticing his gesture, Xue Fangli frowned slightly. “Is it hurting again?”
Jiang Juan replied, “No…”
He tried to pull his hand back, but Xue Fangli held it, massaging his chest gently.
Xue Fangli said, “If you’re uncomfortable, tell me. Why endure it?”
Jiang Juan: “…”
He wasn’t actually uncomfortable. Oh well.
Having lied so many times, Jiang Juan had no idea how to clear things up now. Resigned, he leaned against Xue Fangli’s shoulder, letting him rub his chest, and began to find some humor in his situation.
He had dodged another bullet.
No pain for today either.
Jiang Juan returned to the palace safe and sound, naturally needing to reassure Bai Xuechao of his well-being.
After sending a message to Prince Li Residence, and seeing that Jiang Juan no longer seemed uncomfortable, Xue Fangli started talking about Bai Xuechao’s current situation.
Bai Xuechao had fallen ill.
Jiang Juan’s collapse during the enthronement ceremony couldn’t be kept from Bai Xuechao. The old man had rushed into the palace, only to hear that the imperial physicians were at a loss. Later, when he saw Xue Fangli’s men destroying a temple, he guessed things were dire and fainted himself.
He hadn’t recovered since.
Jiang Juan didn’t see Lan Ting upon his return for this very reason. She stayed in the palace, worried about both Jiang Juan and Bai Xuechao, and eventually begged Xue Fangli to let her return home to care for Bai Xuechao.
Jiang Juan exclaimed in panic, sitting up hurriedly, “Grandfather is ill?”
“I need to see him.”
Xue Fangli didn’t stop him. “Alright.”
After bathing, Jiang Juan quickly got into the sedan chair. Xue Fangli, though busy with state affairs, didn’t want to let Jiang Juan go alone, so he joined him.
“Grandfather!”
Upon arrival, Jiang Juan forgot all about Xue Fangli and almost ran to Bai Xuechao. Feeling guilty that the old man had fallen ill because of him, he hurriedly opened the door, immediately hit by the smell of medicine.
“Grandfather…”
Jiang Juan frowned. Lan Ting and the bedridden Bai Xuechao turned their heads simultaneously. Seeing Jiang Juan, Bai Xuechao, despite his weary face, was overjoyed. He called out, “Come here, let Grandfather take a look at you.”
“Young Master, it’s such a relief you’re alright.”
Bai Xuechao was delighted, and Lan Ting breathed a sigh of relief. These past days had been terrifying for her.
Jiang Juan smiled at her, sitting by the bed and letting Bai Xuechao examine him.
“You’ve lost weight, a lot of weight.”
Bai Xuechao sighed, then patted Jiang Juan’s hand reassuringly. “But at least you’re awake and healthy. You really scared your grandfather.”
Jiang Juan said guiltily, “I’m sorry…”
Bai Xuechao waved it off. “What’s there to be sorry about? It’s your grandfather who’s old and useless, couldn’t help at all while you were so sick.”
“Master did his best.”
Lan Ting added, “Didn’t you even contact an old friend for Young Master? That famous divine doctor Hua. You invited him to the capital to check on the master.”
Remembering this, Lan Ting asked, “Master, since he’s awake now, should we send someone to tell the doctor he doesn’t need to come?”
Bai Xuechao realized, “Yes, since he’s recovered, there’s no need. Hurry and send—”
“Grandfather, don’t.”
Jiang Juan blinked. He was fine now, but since this was a divine doctor, his skills must be exceptional, right?
“How about… let him come?”
Jiang Juan said, “His Majesty is still coughing up blood. I’m really worried about him. Maybe your friend could take a look at him too?”
As he finished speaking, the door opened, revealing Xue Fangli, who had lagged behind. He walked in slowly but happened to catch Jiang Juan’s last words, pausing in his steps.
Xue Fangli: “…”
Author’s Note: If you love him, get a doctor for him!
The duvube doctor is so busy, who should he treat first—the heart condition or the coughing up blood?
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