Tan Hua - Chapter 18

In the dead of night, Song Liqing woke up.

He stared into the darkness with lifeless eyes, feeling as if his body had fallen apart, not only due to the rough treatment by Jun Qiyu in bed, but also because of the weakness brought on by his illness.

He was engulfed in a sense of despair, knowing he was going to die but not knowing when – maybe next year, maybe tomorrow.

He couldn’t do anything but watch as his body was drained of strength and life by the disease, feeling his blood grow colder with each passing moment.

Glancing at the sleeping Jun Qiyu, Song Liqing felt a trace of warmth in his heart.

Unable to resist, he lifted his hand and cupped Jun Qiyu’s cheek, feeling his warmth and tenderness in that moment.

Jun Qiyu was too perfect, combining the martial prowess of the Xuan Emperor with the gracefulness of the Empress, creating a flawless balance.

As Song Liqing’s fingertips brushed against Jun Qiyu’s eyebrows, thick and beautiful, and his delicate eyelashes softened his angular face, Song Liqing felt sadder the more he looked, knowing he was about to lose the person he loved most.

Closing his eyes, Song Liqing hugged Jun Qiyu’s waist and placed Jun Qiyu’s arm around himself, as if he were being embraced by him.

He buried himself in Jun Qiyu’s embrace, feeling a warmth and comfort he hadn’t felt in a long time.

“Qiyu… I really, truly love you,” Song Liqing whispered, his back hunched over, curling up.

“Please, don’t forget me, okay?”

“Mmm,” Jun Qiyu responded sleepily.

Surprised, Song Liqing lifted his head, only to realize Jun Qiyu was just murmuring in his sleep.

“I’ll take that as a promise,” he said, tears welling up in his eyes, wiping them away gently with his hand, careful not to wet Jun Qiyu’s clothes.

At five in the morning, Song Liqing woke up as usual. He carefully left Jun Qiyu’s embrace, got out of bed, and proceeded to clean himself of the filth.

He noticed a streak of blood between his legs, now dried, which took some time to clean up.

Just as he finished dressing, Xiaodi lightly knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

“Young Master,” Xiaodi greeted softly, “Has His Highness woken up? Here are the new court robes… Oh, Young Master, you…”

Xiaodi exclaimed softly, looking at Song Liqing with concern.

“What’s wrong?” Song Liqing touched his face.

“Your complexion looks terrible!” Xiaodi said, “Are you not sleeping well? You’ve only been in the mansion for a few days, but you seem to have lost weight. Let me take care of His Highness’s dressing and meals in the future. You shouldn’t tire yourself out anymore.”

“I’m fine. Give them to me,” Song Liqing smiled and took the clothes from Jun Qiyu. They were newly made, with a red court robe adorned only with basic golden dragon embroidery, as were the crown and other accessories.

“Xiaodi, next time, have the Tailoring Bureau make the embroidery more elaborate. It doesn’t have to be too plain. Qiyu likes things extravagant, the more exaggerated, the better.”

Xiaodi nodded in agreement. “Yes… How did you know, Young Master? Did His Highness tell you?”

“Of course, I know. He’s the kind of person who likes grand gestures, not low-key elegance.”

No one understood Jun Qiyu’s preferences and temperament better than Song Liqing. He could even sketch out Jun Qiyu’s facial expressions and emotions with his eyes closed. His likes and dislikes were all engraved in his heart.

“Then I’ll go get your medicine.” Xiaodi said softly. “The medicine delivered by Physician Qi yesterday was handled by me and I personally brewed it. No one else knows.”

Song Liqing nodded in approval.

“Good.”

Song Liqing sat on the bed, gazing at Jun Qiyu’s sleeping face, unable to bring himself to wake him up.

Deciding to tidy up the osmanthus pastry that had fallen on the ground last night, the sky-blue porcelain plate was still intact, but the osmanthus pastry was scattered. Song Liqing’s eyesight wasn’t very good, and in the dim light, he had to crouch down and painstakingly pick up each piece of the pastry, using paper to wrap the crumbs.

For some reason, he suddenly felt a strong urge to taste it as he smelled the fragrance of osmanthus.

He couldn’t suppress this thought.

He knew it was dirty, and the osmanthus pastry had been sitting out for a day, so its taste had changed. But he just wanted to taste the sweetness.

Song Liqing picked up a piece and put it in his mouth, chewing awkwardly.

It was nothing like the sweetness of his childhood.

His heart was too bitter, and the osmanthus pastry couldn’t help.

“Young Master!”

It was Xiaodi’s shout that snapped Song Liqing back to reality. He then noticed the tears that had fallen to his chin. With a quick wipe of his sleeve, he regained his composure.

“Young Master… this pastry is no longer edible after a night. It must have gone bad in this weather,” Xiaodi said with concern.

“Mmm… this medicine smells awful.”

Just holding it, he could smell the strong stench. Song Liqing frowned.

“It seems to be some kind of blood tonic. I only recognize deer antler,” Xiaodi said. “Should I try pinching my nose while drinking it? That’s how my mother used to make me take medicine.”

With courage, Song Liqing held the bowl and drank it all in one gulp. He was afraid that if he stopped, he wouldn’t be able to swallow it again.

But as the medicine entered his stomach, it felt like he was drinking a bowl of raw blood, both fishy and bitter. Song Liqing’s throat ** tightened, and he rushed to the spittoon, vomiting everything out.

The commotion finally woke up Jun Qiyu. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Xiaodi patting Song Liqing’s back, followed by the unpleasant sound of vomiting.

“Why don’t you vomit outside? The whole room smells like medicine! My mood for the morning is ruined,” Jun Qiyu complained as he walked to the table to rinse his mouth with tea, casting a disgusted glance at Song Liqing.

Suppressing his nausea, Song Liqing wiped away the medicine stains and cleaned up the mess.

“I’m sorry… I’ll go outside from now on.”

“What do you mean ‘from now on’?” Jun Qiyu sighed. “How long will you be sick with such a minor illness?”

“It’ll be over soon. It’ll be over soon.”

Song Liqing walked over with a smile on his face.

“Qiyu, it’s getting late. Let’s change and go to the morning court.”

Jun Qiyu endured his displeasure and spread his hands, allowing Song Liqing to dress him layer by layer, adjust his belt, fasten his jade pendant, and finally put on his morning court crown.

Facing each other, Song Liqing had to tiptoe to adjust him properly.

Jun Qiyu looked very good in dark clothes, appearing vigorous like the rising sun.

Jun Qiyu pinched Song Liqing’s chin and examined his face.

“You look like you’re about to die from a minor illness. Your face is all gray, so ugly.”

Song Liqing remained silent.

Jun Qiyu let go of him and said, “Instead of taking medicine, you should eat more meat. You’re picky, that’s why you’re not strong.”

Song Liqing’s heart fluttered slightly, taking these words as Jun Qiyu’s concern.

“Do you still remember that I don’t like eating meat?”

When Song Liqing took meals to the academy when they were young, they were mostly balanced with meat and vegetables. But the meat dishes were mainly used to please Jun Qiyu’s appetite.

“Suit yourself.”

Jun Qiyu returned to his indifferent demeanor, striding away without even looking at the breakfast Xiaodi brought in.

Song Liqing hurriedly followed and said, “I’ll accompany you to the palace gate.”

“No need. You’re not my parents, always doing the work of an old lady!”

Jun Qiyu brushed him off and walked away alone.

Song Liqing slumped into a chair, feeling lost and dejected.