Silent Lover (The Silent Concubine) - Chap 166
Chapter 166 – A Warm Kiss
The storm came swiftly and passed just as quickly.
Jun Xuanxiao held Shen Yu tightly, sharing his warmth with him. Although the rain had stopped, the night wind persisted. Shen Yu’s soaked body was chilled to the bone. Jun Xuanxiao blocked the draft seeping through the carriage curtains and wrapped Shen Yu more snugly in his cloak.
“Yu’er, how about I take you home? To our home…”
Jun Xuanxiao’s voice was low and hoarse as he gazed at Shen Yu’s face. His delicate lashes were like fine cicada wings, quiet and docile, reminiscent of when he had first entered the prince’s residence.
“But I know you won’t want that anymore,” Jun Xuanxiao murmured bitterly, speaking to himself.
Once, Shen Yu had thrown himself toward him without hesitation. Now, it was Jun Xuanxiao clinging on in vain.
He pressed his face against Shen Yu’s cheek, feeling a sense of satisfaction. At least this way, Shen Yu wouldn’t push him away or disappear from his sight.
Jun Xuanxiao held Shen Yu’s hand, momentarily lost in indecision. If he brought Shen Yu back, he would certainly resist and wake to confront him. But if he let him go, the thought of parting was unbearable. Worse still, the Xiongnu were still hunting him, and the dwindling Chu clan might not be able to protect him.
“Yu’er, Song Qing is returning to the northern territories. He says he’s searching for someone. I suppose I’m luckier than him—at least you’re still here, right?”
Jun Xuanxiao lowered his head and gently kissed Shen Yu’s forehead.
Shen Yu murmured softly in his unconscious state, shivering from the cold. His face instinctively nuzzled into Jun Xuanxiao’s chest and neck, his arms wrapping around Jun Xuanxiao’s waist.
Jun Xuanxiao’s gloom lifted slightly. Thrilled yet cautious, he didn’t dare to move for fear of disturbing Shen Yu.
His racing heartbeat reminded him how Shen Yu’s slightest movement could tug at his emotions.
Jun Xuanxiao made up his mind.
To hell with grudges and ambitions! As long as Shen Yu needed him, even just a little, he would stay by his side without hesitation.
Jun Xuanxiao kissed Shen Yu’s forehead again, reluctant to let go. To his surprise, the person in his arms let out a soft hum, then leaned up to press his lips against Jun Xuanxiao’s.
…
Shen Yu had a long, strange dream.
In it, he wandered alone through a cold and desolate wilderness, the freezing rain cutting into his skin like blades. He didn’t know how long he walked before his legs gave out, cold and starving. He stumbled and fell.
But instead of landing in the mud, he fell into someone’s embrace.
The person spoke to him in a voice as gentle as water, whispering softly.
It felt like a return to the past—back when the tyrant was still the Duke of Zhenbei. Back then, he would often hold him this way, warm and reliable.
A warm kiss fell on his forehead, then moved to his lips. Shen Yu, shivering from the cold, greedily leaned into it, seeking warmth.
The person seemed momentarily stunned, so Shen Yu chased with his tongue, dissatisfied. Only then did he receive a passionate response.
This feeling of lips and teeth intertwined… It was so familiar, tied to a memory Shen Yu knew all too well.
The tyrant?!
Shen Yu jolted awake, his limbs flailing. He grabbed for something nearby and caught hold of the bed’s canopy.
Looking up, he saw Chu Ling’s refined and gentle face. He was nestled in Chu Ling’s arms.
“Shh…”
Shen Yu let out a breath of relief. Of course, it couldn’t have been Jun Xuanxiao. Only Chu Ling spoke with such calm warmth.
Yet, realizing it wasn’t Jun Xuanxiao left an inexplicable emptiness in his heart. Shen Yu found it odd that he would have such a strange dream—it was more bizarre than seeing ghosts.
“Yu’er, did you have a nightmare? You were drenched in cold sweat and thrashing in your sleep,” Chu Ling asked gently, wiping the sweat from Shen Yu’s forehead and cheeks with a towel.
“Mm.” Shen Yu nodded. It was a nightmare.
“Where is this?”
Shen Yu began piecing things together. He had been hunted by the Xiongnu, his carriage overturned, and he had fainted just before they tried to assault him.
“We’re at a relay station. Everything is fine now,” Chu Ling replied. “Yu’er, it’s my fault. I’ve caused you to suffer.”
Shen Yu shook his head. “I insisted on traveling overnight. Chu-ge, was it you who saved me?”
Chu Ling’s expression froze momentarily, as if hesitating. Finally, he nodded lightly.
“Yu’er, you gave me such a scare. When I brought you to the station, you were ice cold, and I was terrified you might catch a chill. Your forehead wouldn’t stop bleeding…”
Shen Yu nodded to himself. It must have been Chu Ling who took care of the Xiongnu and rushed to rescue him.
After all, who else could have been there in such a desolate wilderness?
If it was indeed Chu Ling who saved him, then the embrace he’d felt in his daze was real.
But as he leaned against Chu Ling now, it didn’t quite match the sensation from earlier. However, being unconscious could make perceptions unreliable.
Shen Yu shifted awkwardly, moving out of Chu Ling’s arms. Unsure of where to place his hands, he touched the bandage on his forehead.
“Thank you, Chu-ge.”
Suddenly, Shen Yu remembered something. If the dream had some truth to it, then that hazy kiss… His face grew warm with embarrassment. He must have acted on instinct in his delirium.
“Chu-ge, if I did anything inappropriate while unconscious…”
Chu Ling interrupted him. “Yu’er, there’s no need to tread carefully around me. Don’t overthink things.”
Shen Yu fell silent. He couldn’t tell if Chu Ling was acknowledging or dismissing what had happened. Perhaps it was best for them to both pretend it hadn’t occurred.
After all, Chu Ling was like an elder brother to him. Though they were distant relatives, certain boundaries should never be crossed.
“Oh, right. The family sent a group of bodyguards, but several were lost in the skirmish. To prevent further danger, I’ve arranged for this one to stay by your side as your personal guard.”
Shen Yu followed Chu Ling’s gaze to see a tall, silent bodyguard standing in the room.
