Silent Lover (The Silent Concubine) - Chap 147

Chapter 147 – Bathing

Prince of North – Prince Zhenbei – Northern Garrison Prince are same person (Jun Xuanxiao)

“What’s wrong? Does Yu’er not want this?” Jun Xuanxiao asked sincerely, his tone extremely proper, though he showed no intention of moving out.

Shen Yu shook his head. Of course, he didn’t want it! Who would want to live with a bully in such an isolated place?

“Ah, as long as that’s not the case,” Jun Xuanxiao said naturally.

Shen Yu’s breath caught in his throat. That wasn’t what he meant by shaking his head! However, Jun Xuanxiao either didn’t notice Shen Yu’s flushed face or deliberately changed the subject.

“Everything is set up now, Yu’er. Which room do you like?” Jun Xuanxiao asked.

Shen Yu sighed in relief. Fortunately, there were enough rooms here. If they lived separately, he wouldn’t have to be so on edge. At worst, he could just pretend this bully didn’t exist.

Shen Yu casually pointed to a room. He didn’t have high demands for where he stayed, and all the rooms looked similar—elegant and well-lit.

“This one, huh? It’s indeed nice. It backs onto the flower garden, faces south, and those cherry trees block the north wind. Yu’er, you have great taste,” Jun Xuanxiao praised enthusiastically. “Then we’ll both stay in this room!”

Shen Yu: “…”

The dinner was prepared by palace chefs, and Jun Xuanxiao kept placing food on Shen Yu’s plate. After a day of traveling, Shen Yu had worked up quite an appetite and ate heartily, ignoring Jun Xuanxiao’s presence at the table. Occasionally, however, when he caught sight of Jun Xuanxiao’s satisfied smile, he felt a bit uneasy.

It felt like he was being fattened up, only to be devoured by this bully later.

“Yu’er, you must be tired from today. I’ve already prepared hot water for your bath, go relax,” Jun Xuanxiao said after the meal.

After digesting his food, Shen Yu found that the Prince Zhenbei had eagerly prepared the bathwater. Sitting in the steamy bathtub, Shen Yu still felt something was off.

Suddenly, a hand slid across Shen Yu’s back and into the water. Shen Yu’s hairs stood on end as he stared in terror at Jun Xuanxiao, who had somehow snuck into the bathroom without him noticing.

“Don’t be scared, I was just checking the water temperature to see if it had cooled. Ah, with only two maids, they couldn’t manage everything, so I had to do it myself,” Jun Xuanxiao said with feigned regret, rubbing his hands together as he savored the feeling of Shen Yu’s smooth, delicate skin.

In reality, Jun Xuanxiao had been standing behind Shen Yu for a while, admiring his half-submerged body. Shen Yu’s fair skin, as pale as a lotus, was barely visible through the clear water. Jun Xuanxiao swallowed hard before finally giving in to temptation and reaching out to touch him.

As expected, the sensation made Jun Xuanxiao feel a delightful shiver, just as he remembered—no, it was even more wonderful than before.

Shen Yu puffed out his cheeks. With Jun Xuanxiao there, how could he possibly relax during his bath?

He realized he couldn’t let this bully toy with him any longer. Although he still felt intimidated by Jun Xuanxiao, he knew that continuing to retreat would only encourage him to take more liberties.

So Shen Yu stood up, scooped a ladle of bathwater, and splashed it onto Jun Xuanxiao. Still lost in the pleasure of Shen Yu’s touch, Jun Xuanxiao hadn’t expected it and didn’t dodge. His hair and clothes were soaked through.

Seeing Jun Xuanxiao in such a sorry state, Shen Yu couldn’t help but laugh triumphantly.

But as soon as he laughed, Shen Yu froze. Jun Xuanxiao’s face had turned expressionless, looking quite frightening. Oh no, had he angered the bully?

Jun Xuanxiao approached him, suddenly grabbing Shen Yu’s shoulders with emotion. Just as Shen Yu was feeling terrified, he was pulled into a tight embrace.

“Yu… Yu’er… you finally smiled at me,” Jun Xuanxiao said, his voice choked with emotion, but it was clear he was overjoyed.

With his face pressed against Jun Xuanxiao’s chest, Shen Yu didn’t know how to react. He could only feel Jun Xuanxiao’s powerful embrace, almost making it hard for him to breathe.

After a long time, Jun Xuanxiao finally let go of him. There wasn’t a trace of anger on his face, only joy and tenderness.

“Yu’er, I knew I’d wait for this day.”

Huh? So he wasn’t going to be punished after all? Wasn’t this tyrant known for being irritable and quick-tempered? Shen Yu blinked in disbelief.

“Silly Yu’er, aren’t you cold standing there like that?” Jun Xuanxiao teased.

Only then did Shen Yu realize he was standing completely exposed in front of Jun Xuanxiao. His face flushed red with embarrassment, and he tried to retreat back into the water, only to be scooped up by a pair of large hands.

“The water’s cold now,” Jun Xuanxiao said, lifting Shen Yu from the tub. Wrapping him up like a dumpling in a robe, he carefully dried the water from his body.

Shen Yu leaned against Jun Xuanxiao’s broad chest. The prince was reluctant to let go. Though Shen Yu had only smiled, without completely letting down his guard, Jun Xuanxiao felt all his efforts were worthwhile.

…

Back in the palace, Shen Ruofei had been waiting the entire day. She would occasionally step outside to check, but still, there was no sign of Jun Xuanxiao.

Near dusk, the Prince Zhenbei’s carriage finally returned to the palace. Shen Ruofei’s heart fluttered with excitement, and she rushed over, unable to contain herself.

“Your Highness! Your Highness!” Shen Ruofei beamed. “You must be tired from your journey. I’ve specially prepared food, wine, and music in the palace to welcome you back!”

The coachman bowed and said, “Lady Shen, His Highness is not in the carriage.”

With that, he was about to drive the horses back to the stables.

Shen Ruofei quickly ran after him, blocking his path.

“Wait! What do you mean the prince isn’t here? Where is he?”

“He’s with Consort Yin at the estate. He definitely won’t be returning to the palace tonight,” the coachman replied.

Shen Ruofei was stunned. “What do you mean? Is the prince staying at the estate tonight?!”

The coachman nodded and added, “Not just tonight. His Highness has set everything up to live there long-term.”

“Long… long-term?!”

Shen Ruofei felt as if she had been struck by lightning.

“How could this happen? Wasn’t he only supposed to send Shen Yu out of the palace?” she asked in disbelief.

“That’s beyond my concern,” the coachman said before riding off.

Shen Ruofei stood frozen, not moving for a long time.

She had worked so hard to convince the Prince Zhenbei to send Shen Yu out of the palace, dreaming of having the prince all to herself. But in the end, she had also sent the prince away. Now she was left alone in the palace while the prince and that sickly man were off living together at the estate.

All her meticulous planning had only benefitted Shen Yu. She had recommended the estate because it was remote and uninhabited, thinking Shen Yu would be left there to fend for himself. But it had caught the prince’s eye and turned into the perfect place to hide his beloved, undisturbed by anyone.

At this moment, the Prince Zhenbei and Shen Yu were probably enjoying each other’s company at the estate.

Shen Ruofei’s vision darkened, and she almost stumbled.