Silent Lover (The Silent Concubine) - Chap 124

Chapter 124 – Heartfelt

By the time the last glow of the setting sun faded, Shen Yu finally returned to the palace from the western suburbs. Lanterns had been lit along the corridor, and as he walked through the winding moon gate corridors, he arrived at his secluded residence.

Shen Yu pushed open the main door of the hall, and from a dark corner, a tall shadow lunged at him, pressing him heavily against the wall, causing a dull thud at the back of his head.

“Yu’er…”

Along with the deep voice came an overpowering smell of alcohol.

Startled for a moment, Shen Yu immediately recognized the voice. The strong odor of alcohol made him frown.

Even through his clothes, Shen Yu could feel the familiar warmth of the embrace—broad and domineering. But now, he only felt repulsed. He struggled to break free, but the grip on his hand tightened, as if trying to merge Shen Yu into his body.

“Yu’er, where did you go today?”

Jun Xuanxiao’s deep eyes shone brightly in the dark. Despite his drunken state, his handsome demeanor remained unaffected.

Shen Yu was used to his usual tactics, which were nothing more than persistent pestering and, if that failed, rough force.

“I’m sorry… Did I hurt you?” Jun Xuanxiao released his grip with a hint of regret, allowing Shen Yu to break free from his hold. Shen Yu rubbed his sore wrist and then coldly made a gesture.

“Where I go seems to be none of Your Highness’s business.”

Shen Yu walked to the table and lit a lamp, bringing a bit of warmth and brightness to the room. He saw Jun Xuanxiao staggering towards him, holding a wine jug.

“Of course, it concerns me! Don’t you know I was worried about you?” Jun Xuanxiao’s voice was rough. “I was worried you’d leave and never come back. I waited here for you all day.”

“Even if I ran away, you’d just capture me again. Why put on an act?” Shen Yu signed.

Seeing Shen Yu’s cold demeanor, Jun Xuanxiao’s face showed a flash of disappointment. He approached, wanting to embrace Shen Yu, gazing at him with deep affection.

Shen Yu avoided him and signed, “I know your drinking habits very well, so there’s no need to pretend to be drunk.”

Jun Xuanxiao paused, the confusion in his eyes vanishing. With his tolerance and scheming nature, how could he truly be drunk?

“If you have nothing else, please leave, Your Highness. Don’t ruin both our moods,” Shen Yu signed coldly, then picked up a book and began to read intently.

Jun Xuanxiao acted as if he hadn’t heard Shen Yu’s dismissal. He sat beside him and said, “I’ll keep you company while you read. You used to nestle in my arms to learn to read and write. If you don’t understand something, you can still ask me.”

The flickering candlelight made Shen Yu momentarily dazed. “Do you remember? I first taught you to write our names. You were so happy you tucked those two pieces of paper under your pillow to sleep. Do you still want to learn to ride? If you do, I can take you to the largest horse farm in the capital and teach you myself.”

Shen Yu certainly remembered. At that time, any little reward from the Prince of Beibei was enough to make him blissfully happy. Now, it seemed he had been naive and easily moved.

Turning his head, Shen Yu signed, “I can only admire Your Highness’s skill and long-term planning.”

Jun Xuanxiao was momentarily stunned and said in a low voice, “Did you really believe Emperor Ye’s words, thinking that I was deceiving you back then?”

Shen Yu did not respond, not even bothering to. Angrily, Jun Xuanxiao demanded, “If all I wanted back then was to extract the location of Jun Shanling from you, I had a hundred, a thousand ways to do it! Why would I put myself on the line? Yu’er, didn’t you feel any sincerity in the affection I showed you? Why are you so cruel to me? Why can’t you bear to look at me? Do you want me to cut out my heart and show it to you?”

Shen Yu’s fingers curled slightly before he closed the book.

Once, he had also poured out his heart, wishing he could show it to Jun Xuanxiao.

Seeing Shen Yu’s indifferent expression, Jun Xuanxiao finally deflated. His expression turned from pained to cold.

“Yu’er, my patience with you is nearly exhausted!” Jun Xuanxiao said softly, “Tell me, where did you go today?”

Grabbing Shen Yu’s shoulders, he forcibly turned him to face himself, his actions rough.

Enduring the pain, Shen Yu smiled and signed, “I went to the western suburbs with Brother Song. We had a memorial and then took a walk. We had a meal together. He treats me well—better than you, at least. So, are you satisfied now?”

Jun Xuanxiao’s face darkened. “What do you mean? When did you start seeing him?”

Shen Yu showed a mocking expression and signed, “Long before, probably before he taught me to ride a horse on Mount Langjuxu. Brother Song is very considerate…”

“You!”

Furious with jealousy, Jun Xuanxiao grabbed Shen Yu by the neck. Shen Yu closed his eyes, looking calm as if resigning to fate.

After a moment of struggle, Jun Xuanxiao finally didn’t use his strength and let go.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill him?” Jun Xuanxiao said grimly.

“There’s no one Your Highness doesn’t dare to kill. It’s best if you kill me too. Brother Song and I can be ghost lovers in the afterlife,” Shen Yu signed.

Jun Xuanxiao restrained the boiling anger in his blood and stood up abruptly.

“You forced me into this!”

Striding to the door, Jun Xuanxiao turned back coldly, “Don’t try to provoke me on purpose. Since you have no feelings for me, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”