Cry of the Midnight Jackdaw

Chapter Twenty-one,
Feeding Wine

“Pah!”

Xiao Zuo turned blank, and lifted his eyes up to see He Xuan take back his hand in slight disbelief. He Xuan loftily looked at him in disdain, and indifferently spoke, “Have Ig pampered you too much? Do you still remember who you are? Have Ig shown concern for you a bit these days, so you thought Ig was some great and kind person? Manage that mouth of yours, don’t act recklessly all day.”

Other than this half year at Jin, who was not afraid that Xiao Zuo would fall from their hands, afraid that he would melt when held in the mouth- after being pampered for almost twenty years, it was the first time in his life he had met with this kind of hardship and that searing sensation was still left on the cheek. Unknown if he was hurt or stubborn, Xiao Zuo could not help but tear up, and forcefully propped up his reddened eyes and fiercely glared at He Xuan, firmly biting on the lower lip without making a sound.

“Heh, throwing temper tantrums too?” He Xuan saw this silent face of his, and instead laughed out of anger from him, and then grabbed his wrist and went out.

“What are you doing!” Xiao Zuo sniffled, his voice was a bit muffled, carrying a slight accusatory tone that even he did not notice. He Xuan felt like his heart was being scratched by a cat, and did not pay heed to him, except, his legs quickened up, and diverted his attention to instruct the maid that followed along, “You guys guard outside, without mygu orders, no one is permitted to come in.”

He Xuan pulled Xiao Zuo into his bedchambers, and kicked the door open. He Xuan normally practised in martial arts, so when he used a bit more strength in his hand, he ended up making Xiao Zuo’s wrist completely red. Xiao Zuo also held it in, and only at the time he let go, he then hissed a bit.

“Hurts?” He Xuan saw him like that, and knitted his eyebrows and searched for a bottle of ointment in the drawer, and rubbed some on his wrist, then saw the left side of his face was still left with a few marks, and rubbed some there by the way.

That ointment seemed to be mixed with a few fragrant herbs, it had a cold fragrance to it, and strangely created a calming effect between the two.

Xiao Zuo pursed his lips, and lowered his eyes and stared at his feet, He Xuan did not pay attention to him either, and sat down by himself. The table in the bedchambers was prepared with some wine, he poured a cup full for himself, and started drinking on his own. Xiao Zuo really did not blame him either- in these days since he came to Jin, he had certainly received much of He Xuan’s graces, although He Xuan’s temper was not too good, he did have a bit of sincerity towards himself.

He did not know if it was because of the deepness of emotions- after all to him, He Xuan was, ever since the country fell, the sole person he could rely and trust in this foreign place.

Or perhaps he was still assuming the airs of his position, so he would then so angrily question those words, but in reality…… in He Xuan’s position, he certainly had no reason to do these things for him. Xiao Zuo knew he had overstepped the rules, but because the other person was He Xuan, he still felt a bit sullen in the end.

With many thoughts at play, Xiao Zuo did not speak up either, and only distantly stared at He Xuan. He Xuan was also thinking to other things[1] too- the mouth drank wine, yet his thoughts were hung up on Xiao Zuo. No matter how good the wine was, it was tasteless in the mouth. He Xuan saw that his dampened eyes carried some grievance looking at him- he could not take this kind of expression the most, Xiao Zuo also had a face he liked the most too, thus, even his iron heart softened up. He Xuan sighed, and beckoned at Xiao Zuo with his hand.

Seeing He Xuan express friendship, Xiao Zuo then made his way over in small steps like going down a camel along the hump, and stared at him.

“Do you know where you went wrong just now?”

Xiao Zuo hung his eyes down without saying a word.

“This is Jin, not Nan Liang.” He Xuan peered at the few drops of tears hung on the corners of his eyes, then reached out and used his fingers to wipe it for him. Xiao Zuo got scorched by the warmth on his fingers that he shrunk back a bit, but in the end, let him wipe it, “Those words you said just now, if any one of it were known to others, it would lead to execution. Though my crown prince residence is quite a lot better than that ducal residence of yours, it is not impenetrable. The walls have ears, how…… could I let you die.”

Xiao Zuo pinched his own finger, and lifted his eyes up to quickly glance at him, then opened his mouth. He originally want to say something, but did not expect to have a hiccup, making He Xuan laugh out loud. He also laughed too, and said, “I was not angry at you. I was too impatient just now.”

“Since you understand what you did wrong, do you feel it’s over after speaking about it?”

“What does your Highness want to do?” Xiao Xuo got tired from standing at this time, and sat beside He Xuan, then asked him.

He Xuan did not respond, and suddenly changed the topic, “Were any of the maids waiting in your room disobedient afterwards?”

“No….. none.” It was not some thing that could see the day of light after all, so Xiao Zuo answered obscurely, not knowing what He Xuan meant.

He Xuan narrowed his eyes, and suddenly leaned in close and asked, “Has Li Nu ever summoned anyone in to serve the night?”

That wine seemed to be the pear blossom spirits of Jin- there was a clean and sweet scent to it, at this time, He Xuan carried an air of alcohol, and when his childhood name was recited with a pretty much sentimental tone on He Xuan’s tongue, Xiao Zuo immediately felt all soft inside, and then accepted the wine He Xuan handed over and took a sip, then slightly bashfully shook his head, “Never……”

“Oh?” He Xuan raised his eyebrows as though he did not believe it, “Doesn’t the imperial family prepare a maid early on to teach you about human affairs?”

“Logically, they would. But Queen Mother was afraid that I would be led astray by those maids, and had never arranged one for me.” Xiao Zuo paused, unknown if he was too shy to speak or if the alcohol surged up, and he spoke with his face all red, “Besides, I also think, this thing must be done with the person I love.”

“Is that so?” Like he heard some curious thing, He Xuan laughed, and finished the wine in the cup in one gulp. He leaned his body in and used a hand to hook up Xiao Zuo’s chin, and carefully looked at those few red marks on his cheek.

“Wh…… what?” Xiao Zuo was a bit nervous by this action of his, he withdrew back a bit, and asked.

“Don’t move.” He Xuan’s fingers seemed like it carried some divine power- when lightly whisking over his slightly warm cheeks, it brought up a stretch of numbness, making Xiao Zuo unnaturally shake a bit. He Xuan lowly laughed, and the lower lip lightly touched his left side of the face, then this inappropriate kiss instantly dissipated. Xiao Zuo froze immediately, and vacantly looked at his hanging eyes.

The sensation beneath the lips was just as he imagined it to be.