Silent Lover (The Silent Concubine) - Chap 140
Chapter 140 – A Kiss
Late in the night, after Hong Lian left the sleeping quarters, he pulled Bian Shisi aside.
“Did you give him an aphrodisiac the other day?”
Surprisingly, Hong Lian’s tone was rather polite, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated…
Bian Shisi raised an eyebrow and asked, “How did you know?”
Even though Hong Lian had thick skin, the memory of that night with Song Qing, where they had been passionately entangled, brought a blush to his cheeks.
“Don’t worry about how I know…”
“I see now!” Bian Shisi exclaimed, suddenly understanding. “I was wondering why you, this sly fox, look so rosy and energetic today, walking around all light-headed and swaggering… Turns out you’ve been ‘nourished’ by a man.”
“You could tell?” Hong Lian was surprised.
Bian Shisi snorted and said, “Did you forget that I’m a top physician? I can even tell how many times you two went at it!”
Hong Lian scoffed dismissively, not embarrassed but instead proudly smiling seductively, “Jealous? Your place is probably barren enough to grow a tree by now.”
“Ugh! Shameless!” Bian Shisi glared and cursed, “You think I’m like you, selling your body for it?”
“Too lazy to argue with you,” Hong Lian said, waving it off, “But if I read your bones right, with that soft and shapely figure of yours, even in Qinhuai’s finest brothels, you’d be top-notch. Once you’ve experienced the pleasure, you might be even more charming than I am…”
Hong Lian waved his hand, with a sly look on his face, and asked, “So, do you still have any more of that… drug?”
Bian Shisi opened his mouth and cursed, “Don’t you know the meaning of moderation? Be careful or that rotten flower will split, and I’m not going to enjoy fixing it for you!”
Hong Lian, impatient, said, “That’s none of your concern. I’ll pay you for it!”
Grumbling, Bian Shisi handed him a packet.
“Take it easy,” Bian Shisi said with disdain. “Keep the money; you’ll need it for future treatments.”
Hong Lian stuffed it into his clothes and walked ahead, cheerfully humming a tune…
**”One must indulge in life’s pleasures, yay-yay~”**
…
A gust of night wind caused the candle flames in the sleeping quarters to flicker. Jun Xuanxiao was engrossed in dealing with the official matters that had piled up over the past few days. Out of habit, he turned his head to look at Shen Yu. In the past, he had selfishly taken advantage of Shen Yu without cherishing him. Now, just seeing Shen Yu by his side filled him with a sense of gratitude and satisfaction.
When Bian Shisi was leaving, Shen Yu clung to his sleeve reluctantly, which only deepened Jun Xuanxiao’s sorrow. Shen Yu’s dependence on and trust in an outsider had surpassed what he had for him…
After they left, Shen Yu returned to his quiet and reserved state. No matter how much Jun Xuanxiao tried to talk to him, Shen Yu refused to utter a single word…
Jun Xuanxiao didn’t dare to force him. Bian Shisi had specifically warned that Shen Yu couldn’t handle any more emotional stress. If there was any hope of Shen Yu letting down his guard someday, it would require treating him with unparalleled kindness and nothing else…
“Yu’er, you used to like it when I taught you to write.”
“Look, this is your handwriting of our names from before. I couldn’t bear to throw it away, so I’ve always kept it with me…”
Jun Xuanxiao, like he was presenting a treasure, placed it before Shen Yu. Shen Yu gave him a faint glance before returning his attention to the book in his hands…
Jun Xuanxiao’s eyes dimmed slightly as he continued to murmur to himself. He knew his words were in vain, but he couldn’t help clinging to the slim hope that Shen Yu might respond to him.
“Yu’er, I’ve set up a memorial tablet for your mother in the side hall. If you miss her, you don’t have to go outside the palace anymore…”
“Yu’er, did the snow toad soup today suit your taste? You didn’t eat even half of it. You can’t be picky tomorrow.”
…
Jun Xuanxiao didn’t know how long he had been talking to himself. When he finally turned around, he saw that Shen Yu had already fallen asleep at some point, still holding the book he had been reading, curled up like a sleeping cat…
Jun Xuanxiao carefully walked over, gently covering him with a blanket, then attentively began to change his bandages. He was silent and cautious, terrified that Shen Yu would wake up and avoid him.
Only when Shen Yu was asleep could Jun Xuanxiao get this close to him…
Jun Xuanxiao propped himself up beside the bed, staring intently at Shen Yu. His delicate brows and lips… In the past, Jun Xuanxiao only thought Shen Yu was beautiful and focused on how to possess and dominate him, even ruthlessly marking his body to satisfy his own desires. Now he understood that Shen Yu’s beauty was something to be protected, deserving of endless tenderness, because there would never be another like him in this world.
Jun Xuanxiao regretted that it had taken him this long to realize…
As he caressed the slightly deformed bones of Shen Yu’s left hand, Jun Xuanxiao closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. How had he been capable of breaking those delicate bones?
“Yu’er, I’m sorry. If it would ease your hatred, I would let you cut my flesh and break my bones. I’ll wait… I’ll wait until the day you look at me again.”
Jun Xuanxiao’s heart was filled with bitterness as he gently pressed his lips to Shen Yu’s. It was the lightest kiss Jun Xuanxiao had ever given, lasting only a moment before he pulled away. Yet it was the most satisfying kiss he had ever experienced, because he could feel Shen Yu’s warmth, his soft breath, and for that, Jun Xuanxiao was profoundly grateful.
