Chapter 50

By now, Lu Huai...

Pain.

Every bone in his body felt like it was breaking apart.

Gu Jin slowly opened his eyes.

Above him was the stark white ceiling of the hospital room, with the heads of several doctors and nurses looming over him.

"Ah, he's awake! He's awake!"

"Doctor Gu, you scared us half to death!" A young nurse stepped forward to change his IV drip. "You collapsed during surgery and were unconscious for so long."

Gu Jin moved his lips, his gaze settling on his right hand. A needle was still inserted, and a bruise was blooming on his pale skin.

His brow furrowed slightly. After a long pause, he asked the nurse, "What about him?"

"Who's 'him'?" the nurse paused, confused. "Oh, you mean the patient? After you fainted, another attending physician quickly took over, and he's already gone home to recover."

Gu Jin slowly closed his eyes and murmured a soft acknowledgment. "Thank you. You can leave now."

"Alright!" the nurse replied with a nod, leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

He felt like he was forgetting something important, but he couldn't quite grasp what it was.

Gu Jin raised a finger and pressed it to his brow.

He tried to recall the specific details, but a sharp pain shot through his head.

Was it all just a dream?

"Hey, Mr. Lu, you can't go in there yet."

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by voices outside the door.

Gu Jin turned his head to see someone pushing open the door to the room and entering.

"Doctor Gu, you're awake!" The young man stood tall, dressed in a button-down shirt and jeans, appearing to be about seventeen or eighteen.

Gu Jin remained silent until the youth turned his head, their eyes meeting. A slight startle flickered across his face.

"Huaigui?"

Lu Huaigui sat beside the hospital bed, offering him a peeled apple. "Hmm? What's wrong? Did sleeping make you lose your mind, Doctor Gu?"

Gu Jin pressed his lips together, hesitated for a moment, then reached out to take the apple.

"Why... why are you here?"

Lu Huaigui tilted his head, placing a hand on Gu Jin's forehead. "You don't have a fever."

Gu Jin's body stiffened slightly as he averted his gaze.

Still unsure, Lu Huaigui leaned in, pressing their foreheads together. His long eyelashes brushed against Gu Jin's skin, leaving a faint, ticklish sensation.

"Say, Doctor Gu, let's go home early today," Lu Huaigui nuzzled Gu Jin's forehead, sounding almost petulant. "You've worked yourself silly—you've even forgotten your own boyfriend."

Gu Jin raised a hand, pressing it against Lu Huaigui's chest to push him back slightly.

A flicker of displeasure flashed in Lu Huaigui's eyes, but he quickly concealed it, returning to his usual demeanor.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Lu Huaigui chuckled, slowly straightening up. "You're still quite weak. Did I accidentally put too much weight on you?"

Gu Jin didn't reply, his gaze fixed on his right hand, lost in thought.

Lu Huaigui watched him, his eyes dark and inscrutable. "Then I'll go take care of the discharge paperwork."

After completing the discharge procedures, the two left the hospital together.

Gu Jin followed behind Lu Huaigui, silent.

"Doctor Gu, I was so worried about you while you were unconscious," Lu Huaigui said, walking ahead and chattering incessantly. "I'm so glad you're awake now. Did you dream anything while you were out?"

Gu Jin shook his head, his voice cold. "No."

A black cat darted out from the bushes, meowing plaintively as it wound its tail around Gu Jin's ankle.

Gu Jin stopped, lowered his gaze to meet the cat's for a long moment, then reached out to stroke its head.

Lu Huaigui glanced at the cat with an inscrutable expression, a deep chill in his eyes.

As if sensing danger, the cat shrank back, tucking its head between its shoulders.

Gu Jin's hand froze mid-air. After a silent pause, he straightened up.

"Doctor Gu, do you like cats?" Lu Huaigui asked, his eyes curving slightly as his dark pupils flickered. "Then how about we get one ourselves?"

Gu Jin's brow furrowed slightly. He sized Lu Huaigui up and down before replying with a curt, "Mn."

Soon, they arrived at a villa.

Lu Huaigui produced a key and opened the door.

Gu Jin stood behind him, his fingers trembling at his side.

"Doctor Gu, what are you waiting for? Come on in."

The room was exceptionally cozy, bathed in warm yellow light, with plush carpets covering the floors and a beautifully set dining table.

"Doctor Gu, why don't you go rest for a while? I'll make dinner." Lu Huaigui smiled at him, tying on an apron and turning toward the kitchen before Gu Jin could respond.

Gu Jin sat rigidly at the dining table, his gaze sweeping the room. The walls were covered in oil paintings, but conspicuously absent was any photograph of the two of them together.

Everything seemed tailor-made for him: the perfect lover, the warm home. Wasn't this exactly what he had always longed for?

Meow.

Another cat's cry drifted in from outside the window.

Gu Jin stood up and walked outside. The moment he stepped across the threshold, the villa vanished behind him, plunging him into darkness.

Only the black cat remained, its fur radiating a pale, ghostly light.

Compelled by an unseen force, Gu Jin followed it.

Wherever the black cat went, spider lilies bloomed in its wake.

Above him, fragments of his past flickered into view: his father punishing him with a ruler for not ranking first in his class; the cat he had painstakingly rescued being chopped into pieces; his first adult patient, who couldn't endure the treatment and leapt to his death from a high-rise.

A voice whispered, "Doctor Gu, wouldn't it be better to stay here? If you remain, you'll never suffer again."

Gu Jin tilted his head back and took a deep breath.

When he opened his eyes, he saw: the cut Lu Huaigui had inflicted on his shoulder during their first encounter, Lu Huaigui's stunned expression when Gu Jin kissed his forehead in the bath, and the withered branches in a porcelain vase in the Eastern Palace.

"No," Gu Jin whispered. "Someone is waiting for me."

"Even if returning means enduring pain again, you'll still go?"

Gu Jin nodded softly.

He would no longer run away or cower.

For someone had once told him that destiny was nothing but an illusion—that everything should be changed by oneself, rather than being ground down by it.

The surroundings suddenly fell silent.

After leading him to a certain spot, the black cat vanished without a trace.

Rumble—

A crack suddenly tore through the inky sky, and a beam of light spilled through, landing on Gu Jin's shoulder.

"Your Highness!"

Gu Jin jerked his head up.

He saw Lu Huaigui descending through the rift against the light, gently embracing him.

Like a weightless butterfly, she landed on his heart.

The darkness retreated, leaving only a flood of white light.

"Your Highness, you're awake?"

Lying on the couch, Gu Jin lifted his head at the sound of Lu Huaigui's voice, meeting her bloodshot eyes.

He gently raised his hand, his fingertips lightly touching her cheek. His lips moved, and he whispered, "Huaigui."

Lu Huaigui took his hand and pressed it against her face. "Mm?"

"I had a dream," he said. "A... beautiful dream."

Lu Huaigui didn't ask what the dream was. Instead, she pressed his fingers to her lips, planting a soft kiss.

Gu Jin froze momentarily, a faint blush rising on his cheeks. He looked away and reached out to pull Lu Huaigui into his embrace.

The corners of Lu Huaigui's lips curved into a smile. She carefully avoided his wound as she nestled in the crook of his arm.

"Well, I seem to have arrived at an inconvenient time," Xie Huainan's rakish voice suddenly rang out. "Just yesterday, you were ready to end it all. It was this young master who dragged you back, you know."

Lu Huaigui stiffened slightly, about to rise from Gu Jin's embrace, but he yanked her back down.

She fell back into his arms, his arms encircling her waist.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, can't bear to watch," Xie Huainan sighed, crossing his arms. "You get a man and forget your brothers."

Xie Huainan's banter finally coaxed the two to release their grip.

Lu Huaigui sat up, straightening his robes, his dark gaze fixed intently on Xie Huainan.

Xie Huainan shrugged. "Your master needs to see you."

Lu Huaigui nodded slightly, his gaze remaining fixed on Gu Jin, unwavering.

"Speaking of which," Xie Huainan scoffed, "if your master hadn't arrived just in time, that 'Your Highness' of yours might already be..."

He trailed off, swallowing the rest of his sentence.

"I understand," Lu Huaigui said, tucking the corner of the blanket around Gu Jin. "In a few days."

Xie Huainan raised an eyebrow, recognizing the couple's reluctance to part. He didn't press further, simply saying, "Then I'll go tell your master that he's awake."

With that, Xie Huainan closed the door and left.

Lu Huaigui lay back down on the couch, cradled in Gu Jin's arms, and slowly closed his eyes.

He hadn't rested properly for days, watching over Gu Jin day and night, never missing the slightest sound.

Chu Qingshan had visited once, using some miraculous elixir to pull Gu Jin back from the brink of death.

I must thank him properly in a few days.

Lu Huaigui gently squeezed the bony fingers of Gu Jin's hand draped across his waist, inhaling the familiar scent clinging to Gu Jin's body, and finally drifted into a deep sleep.

This time, no nightmares plagued his rest, only a blissful dream of growing old together, their lives intertwined.

A few days later, Gu Jin could barely stand and move around.

Lu Huaigui stayed by his side, helping him practice walking, never leaving his side for a moment.

Only when Chu Qingshan summoned him away did he reluctantly release Gu Jin's hand, showering him with parting instructions: "Your Highness, stay put and don't wander off."

His tone was that of an overprotective parent caring for a child.

Gu Jin nodded in agreement. "Mm-hmm."

After Lu Huaigui left, Gu Jin sat down at the low table.

The withered branch that usually adorned the table was gone. He suddenly remembered he'd left it with the Princess Royal and hadn't retrieved it yet.

He had once found the porcelain vase on the table irritating; now, its absence left him oddly uneasy.

Since I have nothing else to do, I might as well take a walk.

With this thought, he pushed open the door and headed toward the Princess Royal's palace.

Several palace maids were sweeping snow before the hall. Seeing him, they bowed in greeting, then dropped their brooms to announce him to the Princess Royal.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince is alive!"

A faint cough echoed from within the hall. Moments later, a palace maid ushered Gu Jin inside.

Perhaps the prescription he had written had taken effect; after only a few days apart, the Princess Royal's complexion was noticeably rosier.

"Brother," the Princess Royal smiled, gesturing for a maid to present the porcelain vase. "I was planning to visit you when you were feeling better and bring this along."

Gu Jin lowered his gaze to the white jade vase, murmuring, "Thank you, Sister."

"There's no need for thanks," the Princess Royal said warmly. "Look, I had the palace's finest artisans repair it. Is it exactly the same?"

Gu Jin nodded, carefully taking the vase. The withered branch inside remained perfectly intact.

He suddenly remembered the night he had visited Lu Huaigui in prison, when he had accidentally shattered the vase.

His tightly wound nerves had snapped. Obsessed with piecing the fragments back together, he had cut his hands until they were covered in blood.

But how could something broken ever truly be made whole again?

He didn't know what to do, staring helplessly at his palm like a lost child.

When he sought out the Princess Royal, his entire body trembled violently, repeating over and over, "It can't be fixed... it can't be fixed..."

The Princess Royal startled, quickly bandaging his hand before gently asking what had happened.

At that moment, he seemed to sink into another emotional vortex, unable to escape.

He was about to lose everything again.

Perhaps he should never have dared to hope for anything in the first place.

"Brother? Brother?" The Princess Royal waved her hand in front of his eyes. "What are you thinking about?"

Gu Jin finally snapped out of his daze, clutching the porcelain bottle to his chest as if it were a precious treasure.

"Sister, what... what did you say just now?"

"Right, a nation cannot be without a ruler for even a day," the Princess Royal said softly. "Now that our Imperial Father has passed away so suddenly, leaving no imperial edict, the court is in turmoil. However, many support you."

Gu Jin lowered his gaze slightly and gave a soft hum of acknowledgement.

"Brother, what are your thoughts on this?"

Gu Jin pressed his lips together in silence. After a long pause, he shook his head.

The Princess Royal nodded knowingly. "There's no rush. Take your time to think it over when you get back."

Gu Jin gave a slight nod and was about to agree when a eunuch hurried in.

"Your Highness, the Young Marquis says he's feeling unwell."

Gu Jin frowned slightly. "He was fine when he left, wasn't he?"

The eunuch replied, "This, this humble servant does not know."

Gu Jin glanced at the Princess Royal, who gave him a faint smile. "Lunar New Year's Eve is just a few days away. Would you bring your sister-in-law to dine with us then?"

Gu Jin hummed in agreement and followed the eunuch out.

Moonrise, sunrise.

The Eastern Palace lay in serene silence, bathed in moonlight like flowing water.

When Gu Jin returned, Lu Huaigui was already waiting by the door.

"What's wrong?" Gu Jin approached him, scrutinizing him from head to toe. "Are you unwell? Is it your wrist again, or perhaps the back of your knee—"

Under the soft moonlight, Lu Huaigui extended his calloused palm toward Gu Jin.

In the center lay several crescent-shaped red marks, etched by fingernails.

"Husband, my hand hurts so much," Lu Huaigui murmured, his eyes curving into crescents, his tone plaintive. "Blow on it for me, please."

Gu Jin paused, about to reach out and take his palm, when Lu Huaigui suddenly pulled him into his arms.

Then Lu Huaigui leaned down and pressed a kiss to Gu Jin's lips.

Their mouths met, a tangle of warmth and cool moonlight.

After a long moment, they parted.

Silver strands of saliva lingered between their lips, shimmering like gossamer strands under the moonlight.

"Your Highness shouldn't be wandering around when you're still unwell," Lu Huaigui murmured, his hand resting on Gu Jin's lower back, warm breath brushing against his ear. "Don't you think you deserve punishment?"

Gu Jin, breathless from the kiss, his mind still clouded, could only mumble in reply.

"Mm... whatever punishment you want is fine."

A sly glint flashed in Lu Huaigui's eyes as he leaned closer to Gu Jin's ear and nipped his earlobe. "Then how about... three times tonight?"

Gu Jin stiffened, a faint blush rising on his usually impassive face.

Yet he had no reason to refuse, and let Lu Huaigui have his way.

The moon hung high in the willow branches.

Lu Huaigui nestled against Gu Jin, her fingers playing with the ends of his hair.

"Your Highness, what did Her Highness, the Princess Royal, discuss with you?"

Gu Jin's eyes were half-closed, his fingertips resting lightly on Lu Huaigui's shoulder. His voice was soft and husky. "The matter of the Throne."

Lu Huaigui's gaze darkened slightly. "Oh? And who does Your Highness believe is fit to rule the realm?"

Gu Jin fell silent for a moment, lowering his eyes to gaze at Lu Huaigui for a long while before answering, "Huaigui."

Lu Huaigui blinked, then chuckled. "Is Your Highness teasing me? I discussed it with Master today, and it's clear that Your Highness is the most suitable."

"But I... have no desire to become Emperor," Gu Jin said. "I only wish to remain by your side. That is enough."

This was the first time Gu Jin had ever revealed his true feelings so openly.

Even Lu Huaigui was momentarily stunned.

He stroked Gu Jin's cheek, his eyes gleaming softly. "Then, Your Highness, how about we rule the realm together?"

Becoming Emperor was never an easy path; more often than not, it meant shouldering immense responsibilities.

Moreover, someone as conscientious as Gu Jin would likely toil day and night, neglecting his own health.

If Lu Huaigui could share some of the burden, that would be ideal.

"Your Highness, you don't need to carry everything alone," Lu Huaigui murmured, pressing a kiss to Gu Jin's forehead. "I'm here. If there's anything Your Highness doesn't want to do, leave it to me."

Gu Jin remained silent, gazing at Lu Huaigui for a long moment before suddenly tilting his head back and kissing Lu Huaigui's lips.

Lu Huaigui chuckled softly, hooking an arm around Gu Jin's neck to deepen the kiss.

Several months later, early spring.

The Crown Prince and the Young Marquis ascended the imperial throne together.

The Dual Emperors ruled the realm together.

Xu Shiyuan, Prefect of Lidu, was promoted to Prime Minister, earning the envy and jealousy of his peers.

New buds sprouted from the withered branch in the porcelain vase, reflecting the sight of the two men walking hand-in-hand outside the window.

On this day, peach blossoms blazed in radiant splendor, and willows swayed gently in the breeze.

From that moment onward, most of Lu Huaigui's obsessions, resentments, and hatreds gradually transformed into a small portion of love, trickling into his parched heart like a life-giving stream.

As if touched by sweet rain after a long drought, he was reborn anew.

This was the finest spring of all.

[END]