Chapter 30: Ancient Palace BL (III)

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Chapter 30: Ancient Palace BL (III)

Xuanyuan Zihao clearly hadn’t expected such a move. He froze for a brief moment, making no attempt to dodge. He quickly recovered his usual languid, seductive demeanor. Taking hold of Miao Lichen’s bloodstained hand, he slowly licked the blood from his fingertips. He narrowed his eyes as the metallic flavor spread through his mouth. He wasn’t sure whether it was merely his imagination, but he felt that Miao Lichen’s blood was like his very being, different from the rest.

When their gazes met, Xuanyuan Zihao found himself momentarily mesmerized by those still-smiling eyes. The look of complete intoxication on his face carried none of his usual frivolousness. Instead, it only added to his charm as he had a face that was too enchanting for a man. His eyes were slightly narrow, with upward-curving peach blossom eyes tails, giving him an amorous gaze that captivated hearts without him realizing.

“A’chen, do you think I will believe that?” Xuanyuan Zihao pulled Miao Lichen into his arms until their bodies were pressed together, their warmth and scents mingling. He could smell the floral scent that lingered on Miao Lichen, and it left him astonished.

In his memory, Miao Lichen would never take a flower-petal bath. One reason was his identity, but the other reason was his excessively delicate appearance. He always tried to emphasize his identity as a man.

Even when they were together and Miao Lichen could have anything, he would never take a floral bath. As such, he always carried the clean, herbal scent of honey locust. Though refreshing, it constantly reminded Xuanyuan Zihao that they belonged to different worlds. He could play with him, but he could never take him seriously.

“Why wouldn’t you? There isn’t the slightest trace of longing for you left in these eyes.” Miao Lichen pulled away his hand that was faintly flushed from being grasped, but quickly faded back to normal. Xuanyuan Zihao stared at the receding flush as Miao Lichen smiled wider. The relaxed indolence he displayed was strikingly similar to Xuanyuan Zihao’s.

“Your hair turned white in one night; how is this a sign of you giving up?” Xuanyuan Zihao tangled his fingers into a lock of white hair that had fallen over Miao Lichen’s shoulder. A young face, yet hair like an old man, he was such a shocking view. When Miao Lichen performed his music, many people were drawn to his white hair. Hair turning white overnight was something that existed only in legends, yet it had unfolded before their very eyes.

Xuanyuan Zihao did not believe Miao Lichen could give up such a love that made him white-haired overnight. He had to admit that a white-haired Miao Lichen was even more attractive. he ethereal, immortal-like aura he had once sensed from Miao Lichen returned in full force and made him want to drag him into the abyss.

He narrowed his eyes, concealing the fleeting interest and desire that flashed within them. His gaze drifted over Miao Lichen’s flawless porcelain-white skin. He had no intention of releasing him. Miao Lichen was merely a court musician. In the end, he was nothing more than an entertainer who could never escape his grasp.

“It’s not only love that can turn someone’s hair white overnight.” Miao Lichen sighed, feeling helpless. For a moment, it sounded like he was giving up this argument and pulled away the hand that held him captive. Facing Xuanyuan Zihao’s knowing and arrogant gaze, he quirked an eyebrow.

In the next instant, Xuanyuan Zihao was pressed against the table at a speed that left even a man famed as a War God unable to react. Miao Lichen adjusted his grip on his sword, the sharp edge already cutting into the neck of Xuanyuan Zihao. The crimson blood stood out starkly against the silver blade.

Miao Lichen rotated the sword in his hand as one finger lightly brushed the corner of Xuanyuan Zihao’s eye. He watched as Xuanyuan Zihao narrowed his eyes at his touch, his longer lashes brushing his fingertips and sending a faint tingly sensation. “Your Highness, I wonder if you are still sure of your understanding of me?”

“You…” Xuanyuan Zihao’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, making the cold touch on his neck more pronounced. Though faint, the smell of blood originating from himself felt like a mockery of his pride. It was a single move, but Miao Lichen’s martial arts were definitely stronger than his. “…Who is it?”

“I am merely an ordinary court musician.” Miao Lichen removed his sword from Xuanyuan Zihao’s neck and released him. He held the sword, letting the blood drip off of its silver blade until it became spotless. The moonlight streaming through the window made everything appear exceptionally mysterious.

Xuanyuan Zihao stood up, the faint stinging pain in his neck constantly reminded him of what Miao Lichen had just done. The unchanged smile he saw now was a stark contrast to the charming smile Miao Lichen had given him a few days ago. Could this really be the same person? Yet it undeniably was. That distance just now was enough for him to see if it was someone in disguise. As a master of disguise himself, he would never make a mistake in this.

He was just not willing to believe that someone would let him go so easily. If this were Miao Lichen’s true nature, his fate would have been sealed the moment Miao Lichen acted. The pride in Miao Lichen’s bones was just like his. It was really funny. A mere entertainer, yet as proud as royalty.

∇ Capture Target Xuanyuan Zihao Favorability: 45.

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“An ordinary court musician? A’chen, you hid yourself really well. Even while being humiliated by me, you weren’t willing to show your true self. Or perhaps I should say, you never really loved me?” Xuanyuan Zihao faintly frowned. Miao Lichen’s attack was truly ruthless, any deeper and it would have sliced his trachea. The attack had been precise enough to warn him without actually killing him. That alone was enough to convince Xuanyuan Zihao that Miao Lichen was a true expert.

“No, I once liked the illusion Your Highness gave me. How could my heart not move and admire a gentle and noble prince? But in the end, it was all an illusion, was it not? As for humiliation… so Your Highness also knows it was humiliation?” Miao Lichen returned his sword to his inventory, and the sudden disappearance of his weapon made Xuanyuan Zihao even more wary.

He would only think that Miao Lichen’s speed had reached a level where he couldn’t even see him sheathe the sword, and not that it had vanished into his system inventory. Just the speed alone would put him at a disadvantage, let alone internal energy.

“…” Xuanyuan Zihao was left speechless by this unprecedented situation, but a different kind of fire ignited within him. If he could leave a red mark on such a dazzling person, wouldn’t it be more exciting than any military campaign or physical conquest? His lips twitched, and he was already feeling impatient. Thinking of how this man had been pleading helplessly at his feet just the other day, the sense of accomplishment turned his previously gloomy mood into one of delight.

“I don’t care about any of that anymore. However, your Consort appears to be exceptionally delicate. I hope Your Highness will be gentle and considerate of him.” Miao Lichen took out a packet from his sleeve and found a clean teacup on the messy table to pour water in. He then dissolved the red powder from the packet into the water and handed it to Xuanyuan Zihao. This level of service was extremely impolite to a prince. If he was a normal person, a new set of teaware would be used.

“What is this?” Xuanyuan Zihao took the cup. The red liquid flowed like blood, but did not have the metallic smell of blood, instead, it was faintly herbal. Xuanyuan Zihao’s thoughts instantly shifted into scheming territory. Using drugs to control others was a common tactic employed by those in power. He did not realize that he had now placed Miao Lichen on the same level as him.

“It’s just medicine for treating external injuries. If Your Highness doesn’t wish to use it, you may return to your palace with that wound.” Miao Lichen sat back down next to his guqin and plucked the strings, seemingly no longer caring about the stranger in his room.

Xuanyuan Zihao hesitated for a moment but still drank the liquid. It was not out of trust in Miao Lichen, but confidence in his ability to detoxify himself. The moment he drank it, the pain in his neck disappeared. When he touched his neck, only the streaks of blood remained; the wound itself had vanished completely. With a solemn expression, he looked at Miao Lichen for a long time before turning and leaving. But he took the cup he used with him.

After he left, a sharp sound rang out in the room. Miao Lichen looked at the broken string of his guqin, feeling mildly regretful. Using Qixiu internal energy on an ordinary guqin was truly impossible. He had wanted to try the legendary sound attack.

He combed back his hair and left the room. His figure rose and fell across several rooftops before landing in an extremely luxurious courtyard. Every plant and tree was a treasure. The muffled sounds of intimacy came from within the room, and the silhouette of an intertwined man and woman was vaguely visible through the window. After a long while, the sounds subsided and a person wrapped tightly in blankets was carried away.

“You’re here.” The voice drifting through the window carried the languid satisfaction of a passionate encounter, yet retained its innate regal authority.

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