Chapter 65 Getting Along

Chapter 65: Getting Along

Because of matters at the border, Cui Ji was urgently summoned to the palace by Zhou Mingqi that night for discussions, and it was nearly the wee hours, around 3 to 5 AM, by the time he came out.

Back at the prince’s mansion, it was dead quiet.

He happened to pass by Cheng Ge’s room, which was pitch black inside, and Cui Ji couldn’t help stopping.

Usually, Cheng Ge always kept a small lamp lit when sleeping, but tonight was different.

Out of nowhere, a bad feeling crept into Cui Ji’s chest.

Just then, the old butler rushed over, looking worried. “Your Highness, you’re back at last.”

Cui Ji frowned and turned to ask, “Did something happen?”

“Your Highness, Master Cheng left the city last night and hasn’t returned yet. I’m worried…”

“Why’d he leave the city?”

The old butler shook his head. “I don’t know. I just heard from the stable hand that Master Cheng seemed off after visiting the Lin estate last night, rushed out of the city in a hurry, as if something urgent had come up.”

Cui Ji’s heart sank. Too tired to care, he called for his shadow guards right away.

“Check if anything’s happened at the Lin estate lately.”

The shadow guard nodded and left. Cui Ji paced a few steps, the unease in his chest growing stronger.

Before long, the shadow guard returned to report: “Your Highness, the Lin family’s eldest son went missing in the Gubei Mountains outside the city recently, no word if he’s alive or dead.”

Hearing this, Cui Ji’s face went dark. He didn’t have to think twice to know that Cheng Ge must have rushed out of the city to find Lin Nanshu.

Anger and worry choked him, leaving him breathless.

He silently swore that once he dragged that guy back, he’d hang him up and give him a hundred lashes first.

Gritting his teeth, he barked, “Saddle a horse. We’re heading to the Gubei Mountains.” Without a second thought, Cui Ji turned and walked out.

The old butler ran after him, trying to talk him out of it: “Your Highness, you haven’t slept all night. It’s too dangerous to go now.”

But Cui Ji ignored him. He mounted his horse and, with a squad of men, galloped off into the dark.

……

As the sky started to lighten, the birds and bugs in the woods started chirping, and the outline of the Gubei Mountains slowly appeared in the morning mist.

Light filtered through the thin fog onto the cave walls, dappling them with spots.

A few specks of dawn light hit Lin Nanshu’s eyelids, and his dry, cracked lips twitched a little.

His eyelashes, like crow feathers in the light, trembled barely before he slowly opened his eyes.

Staring at the familiar rock wall, his eyes moved slowly, his mind still foggy.

His body was limp, unable to budge an inch, and he couldn’t get his bearings yet.

He struggled to shift his gaze, and out of the corner of his eye, he seemed to notice something.

He turned his head instinctively and came face to face with the sleeping Cheng Ge.

“—Slight pause—”

“Mu… Muyu.”

As soon as Lin Nanshu spoke, Cheng Ge groggily opened his eyes.

He hadn’t slept well, so he wasn’t fully awake yet. Sniffling his stuffy nose, he started rambling.

“Bro, grab me a meal—spicy hot pot combo, extra spicy, extra hot, extra soup.”

Lin Nanshu’s face turned bright red like a tomato as he stammered, “Muyu, can… can you get up first?”

Cheng Ge blinked, finally realizing the situation. He quickly pulled back his hands and legs that were wrapped around the other guy.

He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly and let out a sheepish laugh. “Did I press on your wound?”

Lin Nanshu’s ears were still bright red as he turned his face away and said quietly, “It’s fine.”

Cheng Ge scrambled to his feet, twisting his sore back and waist, and grabbed the clothes hanging from the knife handle.

The clothes still carried a faint smell of firewood but were completely dry.

Lin Nanshu tried to prop himself up, but having gone so long without food and lost blood, the moment he moved, his vision went black, and he nearly fainted.

Cheng Ge was quick to react, catching him in time. He sat down behind Lin Nanshu, letting the man lean against his chest.

Lin Nanshu: “…”

Cheng Ge shook out the slightly wrinkled clothes and reached to lift the outer robe covering Lin Nanshu.

Lin Nanshu: “!!!”

His eyes widened, and he instinctively tried to pull away, but his body was too weak to muster any strength.

“Muyu… I can do it myself…” His voice trembled, carrying a hint of fragility.

“Don’t move. Your wound hasn’t healed yet,” Cheng Ge said as he carefully helped Lin Nanshu dress.

“—Slight pause—”

A flicker of panic crossed Lin Nanshu’s face as he quickly grabbed the fallen robe to cover himself.

“Why is your face so red? Are you running a fever?” Cheng Ge asked, his gaze landing on Lin Nanshu’s face after helping him into the clothes.

Wound inflammation could easily lead to a fever, and Cheng Ge was a bit worried.

Lin Nanshu flinched away from his hand like he’d been shocked, his voice flustered: “No… no, I’m fine.”

Cheng Ge didn’t dwell on it. He helped Lin Nanshu lie back down, then carefully crept to the cave entrance, poking his head out to look left and right.

After confirming no one was outside, he ducked and slipped out of the cave.

“For the omitted parts, you can listen to the live storytelling—they’re complete there.”