Silent Lover (The Silent Concubine) - Chap 175

Chapter 175 – Chu Yi

Chapter 175: Chu Yi

After dousing himself with several buckets of well water, Jun Xuanxiao finally managed to suppress the heat within him.

A faint sound of footsteps behind him was quickly picked up by his sharp ears. He turned his face slightly.

“Who’s there?” Jun Xuanxiao asked in a deep voice.

A figure stood awkwardly by the moon gate, unsure whether to advance or retreat.

“I… I…”

The person took a small step forward, meeting Jun Xuanxiao’s sharp gaze. The oppressive intensity made their heart tremble, and they avoided direct eye contact.

Seeing the person dressed in the style of Chu, a young boy of similar age to Shen Yu, Jun Xuanxiao softened his killing intent slightly. He figured this must be a young master from the Chu household.

“Who are you?”

Jun Xuanxiao casually wrapped some clothing around his lower body. He had long since abandoned any sense of shame, but now, without realizing it, he acted out of an unconscious desire to please Shen Yu. He understood now that between two people who shared mutual affection, one’s body and heart should belong solely to the other. Treating himself as Shen Yu’s, he couldn’t help but care about such things.

It was akin to how he would want to kill anyone who dared to see Shen Yu’s body.

“I… I am Chu Yi.”

Chu Yi felt his face heat up. Though his head was lowered, he couldn’t resist sneaking a glance upward.

In truth, Chu Yi had just arrived and was greeted by the sight of a tall, muscular man rinsing himself with cold water in the courtyard well. The scene stunned him. He had never seen another man’s body before, let alone someone like Jun Xuanxiao. The impact was immense.

At first, Jun Xuanxiao had his back turned to Chu Yi, revealing his broad shoulders and well-defined muscles. His physique was solid without being overly bulky, his long limbs exuding power. A bucket of water poured over him, streaming down his body.

Unable to help himself, Chu Yi had stepped back, making enough noise to catch Jun Xuanxiao’s attention.

When Jun Xuanxiao turned around, Chu Yi found himself staring, his mind going blank.

What a strikingly rugged man…

The people of Chu valued refinement and scholarly elegance, so Chu Yi had never seen someone so rough and untamed. Jun Xuanxiao’s chiseled features radiated a commanding aura, a stark contrast to the genteel demeanor of Chu’s scholars.

Jun Xuanxiao noticed Chu Yi’s dazed expression and grew impatient. He wasn’t interested in the boy’s name.

“What are you here for?”

Chu Yi stammered, “I… My great-grandfather sent me to deliver something. This… this is incense. He said it would help Brother Yu recover from his fatigue after the journey…”

“Oh, all right. Just hand it to me.”

Before Chu Yi could extend the item, Jun Xuanxiao walked over and took it himself. He lowered his head to sniff it. It was indeed sleep-inducing incense, though Jun Xuanxiao had never used such things and couldn’t judge its quality.

Seeing Chu Yi still standing there, Jun Xuanxiao said, “You can leave now.”

“Huh? Oh, oh…”

Chu Yi nodded, finally tearing his gaze away from Jun Xuanxiao’s sculpted chest. Up close, the man’s overwhelming presence felt even more intimidating, forcing Chu Yi to look up just to meet his eyes. Those deep, piercing eyes made his heart race wildly, as if it might leap out of his chest.

Despite the man’s lack of courtesy or even a word of thanks before ushering him out, Chu Yi felt an inexplicable sense of loss.

“I…”

“Do you have anything else to say?” Jun Xuanxiao interrupted him.

“No, no…” Chu Yi hesitated before asking, “Has Brother Yu gone to sleep?”

In truth, Chu Yi had nothing more to say but couldn’t help wanting to exchange a few more words with this man, even if his tone wasn’t friendly.

“He’s asleep.”

Jun Xuanxiao didn’t pay him any further attention and turned to go back inside. Chu Yi stood rooted in place, biting his lip before finally running off.

“Yi’er, why are you rushing like that?”

Chu Ling intercepted Chu Yi in another courtyard.

Still shaken, Chu Yi snapped back to reality and said, “I… I’m a bit tired and wanted to hurry back to sleep.”

Noticing the flush on Chu Yi’s face, Chu Ling assumed it was from running too fast.

“Ah, then rest early.”

“Brother Ling!” Chu Yi suddenly called out, hesitating before asking, “Is there… someone else staying in Brother Yu’s courtyard?”

Confused, Chu Ling replied, “Someone else? You mean Brother Yu’s guard? Why do you ask?”

Jun Xuanxiao had refused to let Chu Ling send over servants or maids, insisting he could take care of Shen Yu himself.

“It’s nothing…” Chu Yi fumbled for an excuse. “That person just looked so fierce.”

Chu Ling chuckled. “He’s someone Yu’er brought along. Did you get a look at him?”

“No, no, no!” Chu Yi quickly denied it. “I didn’t see him.”

He couldn’t stop himself from recalling the scene earlier. Under the faint moonlight, he hadn’t dared to look too closely, only catching a vague impression.

“Don’t concern yourself with him,” Chu Ling advised.

Distracted, Chu Yi nodded absentmindedly. That night, he tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. His mind kept replaying the image of that man bathing in the moonlit courtyard.