Chapter Thirty-Four: Your Highness, Please Remain Calm

Yu Hualiang’s headache grew unbearable; he had no idea what kind of wine it was, only that his dizziness made it impossible even to stand. Cao Zhiling supported him as they exited, but Yu Hualiang nearly collapsed to the ground—luckily, Cao Zhiling caught him swiftly and pulled him into his arms.

Cao Zhiling was not without desire; he simply preferred men. Only his brother knew this secret. From the moment he first saw Yu Hualiang, he was moved. Yu Hualiang’s skin was like jade, his eyes shimmered with the brilliance of countless stars, and the subtle curve of his lips, neither a smile nor a frown, made him the most perfect man Cao Zhiling had ever encountered.

He looked down at Yu Hualiang’s furrowed brow, pained by his headache, and bent to lift him in his arms. Inside the room, he gently laid Yu Hualiang on the bed, thoughtfully covered him with a quilt, and after watching him for a while, headed downstairs to request a bowl of sobering soup from the madam.

When he returned and tried to feed Yu Hualiang the soup, Yu Hualiang rolled over and knocked it from his hands, spilling it all over him. As Cao Zhiling wrung the moisture from his clothes, Prince Seven entered.

“Thank you, Brother Zhiling, for taking care of Ziliang. I’ll tend to him now,” Prince Seven said with a smile.

Cao Zhiling, hearing this, rose reluctantly and left. Prince Seven watched Yu Hualiang with concern.

Yu Hualiang’s symptoms progressed quickly; though the poison was strong, it typically took four hours to manifest, yet Yu Hualiang displayed signs three hours earlier. Prince Seven tried to feed him the antidote, but Yu Hualiang slept deeply, so he had to hold the antidote in his own mouth and press it to Yu Hualiang’s lips.

Yu Hualiang felt dizzy and weak, barely able to discern Prince Seven calling his name before him. He could do nothing, numb and powerless. Seeing his condition worsen, Prince Seven lost all restraint and pressed his lips to Yu Hualiang’s.

Although Yu Hualiang was muddled with pain, his mind remained clear. He saw Prince Seven kissing him, wanted to resist, but couldn’t even lift a hand. Prince Seven deepened the kiss; it was different from his kiss with Aliu—(this passage was omitted due to explicit content).

Yu Hualiang was so dazed by the kiss that he swallowed the antidote Prince Seven had pressed into his mouth. He felt tears threaten to spill—what had Prince Seven made him consume?

He struggled to push against Prince Seven, but this only inflamed the prince’s possessiveness further.

Frowning, Yu Hualiang whispered weakly by his ear, “Stop... Prince Seven...”

Prince Seven paused, pulling away, their faces inches apart, breath mingling.

Yu Hualiang never imagined Prince Seven’s hidden nature would erupt now! Was this not taking advantage of him in his helplessness? Did he intend to bed him while he couldn’t move? He’d heard such acts were rather painful...

In that instant, Yu Hualiang’s mind raced with countless thoughts. Prince Seven watched him for a long time, his gaze gradually clouding, then, as if possessed, lowered his head and kissed him again.

He cared little how Yu Hualiang might view him later; in this moment, he could not help but desire him.

Yu Hualiang was startled, eyes wide—how could Prince Seven persist?

Prince Seven cupped his cheeks, gazed at Yu Hualiang’s tightly knit brows, and kissed him again, his lips soft and warm, intoxicating. He had long wanted to kiss him this way...

Their breaths grew heavier. To his own surprise, Yu Hualiang began to respond, slowly returning Prince Seven’s kiss. Prince Seven’s heart soared with joy; his hands wandered, and Yu Hualiang’s clothing slipped away.

Suddenly, Yu Hualiang jolted awake. He pushed Prince Seven away, who also regained some composure.

Under the dim lamp, the two sat apart on opposite corners of the bed, silent.

Yu Hualiang clenched his fists, feeling the heaviness lift from his body—he was sober now, perhaps had been for some time. But just now...

He didn’t even understand himself; he hadn’t disliked what had just happened, and for a moment, he’d felt comfortable.

Perhaps feeling awkward, Prince Seven rose from the bed and, before leaving, said, “I’ll wait for you at Wanju Pavilion by the rear pond.”

With that, he departed, leaving Yu Hualiang alone, bewildered.

Had he just been forcefully kissed by Prince Seven? The more he thought about it, the more embarrassed he felt—how could he face the prince in the future?

Most importantly, he wasn’t even attracted to men!

Clearly, he would have to research how to fend off advances from men.

Since Prince Seven had summoned him, Yu Hualiang dared not refuse. He steeled himself and made his way to the rear pond, which was far quieter than the bustling Xuanlou.

Trees enclosed the pavilion tightly, like a sealed room, and on the other side was the pond. The lanterns of Xuanlou reflected in the water, casting colorful patterns—a fine place for drinking and conversation.

Perhaps Prince Seven thought so too; there were four empty bottles on the table beside him, and he was pouring another into his mouth.

Wasn’t it just a kiss with Yu Hualiang? Even if he’d forced it, why act as though he’d suffered some grievance?

Yu Hualiang was perplexed. Though he remained guarded, he still cared enough as a friend to say, “Your Highness... you should drink less, it’s bad for your health.”

Prince Seven swallowed the last mouthful, tossed the bottle aside, turned to face him, cheeks flushed, eyes apologetic. “I was too reckless—did I hurt you?”

Yu Hualiang smiled shyly, “It’s nothing, really! We’re both men... you... well... just be more careful in the future...”

What a mess!

Prince Seven gazed at the pond and smiled, “So afraid...”

“Um... let’s just let it go, alright? Pretend nothing happened, it’s best for both of us... Your Highness, rest assured, I’m not attracted to men. In the future—”

Before he could finish, Prince Seven seized his wrist, eyes burning as he stared at Yu Hualiang.

He moved so quickly Yu Hualiang barely reacted; pain shot through his wrist as he looked up into the prince’s fiery gaze.

“You’re not attracted to men?” Prince Seven challenged with a smile.

Yu Hualiang shivered under his stare, frowning in confusion, unable to understand how he’d provoked him again.

“If you’re not attracted to men, why did you share a bed with Aliu, get intimate, and even promise him forever? Yet you always evade me. Are you only attracted to men when it comes to Aliu, but not when it’s me?”

Yu Hualiang’s heart wavered; he didn’t know how to answer—he’d always believed that was the truth.

He didn’t love Aliu, yet had always used the excuse of not being attracted to men to hide his feelings for Prince Seven... Was it possible he truly liked Prince Seven?

He could hardly believe it himself—he’d actually been turned!

Prince Seven stared at him, suddenly stepped forward. Yu Hualiang retreated, but his back met the stone table.

“Prince Seven... Your Highness... please calm yourself,” Yu Hualiang felt the posture was humiliating; he looked at Prince Seven in alarm, struggling to pry away the arm encircling his waist.

Prince Seven’s brows drew tighter. He leaned in close, word by word, “Four times... you’ve kissed Aliu four times. With me, only once.”

Yu Hualiang sensed trouble. He laughed nervously, “No, Your Highness, let go, let’s talk this through...”

Like a rebellious child, Prince Seven pressed closer, smirking, “Ziliang, these three times... how will you make it up to me?”

“Hey! Let go—” Before Yu Hualiang could finish, Prince Seven pinned him to the stone table.

Prince Seven’s strength was considerable; Yu Hualiang groaned in pain.

Pinned beneath Prince Seven, Yu Hualiang could barely breathe, feeling as helpless as a lamb. He frowned, cheeks flushed. “Qi—Mu Zicheng! Let me go!”

Hearing Yu Hualiang call his name, Prince Seven laughed, gently bit his collarbone, making Yu Hualiang wince in pain as he struggled.

The wound throbbed, Yu Hualiang’s face paled, as if the injury had split open.

But Prince Seven was unaware. After biting his collarbone, he moved to kiss further, only to hear Yu Hualiang cry out in pain, a sound that struck his heart.

He looked up and saw Yu Hualiang’s tightly furrowed brows and pale face. Prince Seven immediately rose, discovering blood seeping from Yu Hualiang’s abdomen.

He released him, cradled him anxiously, pressing a hand to the wound. “I’m sorry, Ziliang, I’m so sorry...”

Yu Hualiang endured the pain, pushed his hand away firmly, and leaned on the table to walk out.

He was truly angry; no one had ever treated him like this, especially since he wasn’t even attracted to men.

Prince Seven regretted his actions, stood stunned for a long while before catching up, but the scene broke his heart.

He saw Yu Hualiang collapse into Cao Zhiling’s arms. Cao Zhiling’s gaze grew cold as he looked at Prince Seven. Prince Seven went over, took Yu Hualiang back into his own arms, “Brother Zhiling, this matter is between us. Thank you for caring for Ziliang.”

Yu Hualiang was too pained to speak, blood flowing from his abdomen. Cao Zhiling handed a bottle of medicine to Prince Seven, “Coagulating powder.”

Prince Seven gritted his teeth, “Thank you.”

Once Cao Zhiling left, Prince Seven held Yu Hualiang in his arms, gazing at him with pity, “I’m sorry, Ziliang, I’m so sorry... let’s get your wound treated first.”

“Get out!” Yu Hualiang spat in anger.

Prince Seven froze; no one had ever spoken to him like this. His heart ached as he lifted Yu Hualiang, “Ziliang... let’s go...”