Reborn To Be The Imperial Consort [BL]

Chapter 178: Swaying Jasmine — II

The morning following the night came with a delayed brightness as the first few rays of the winter daybreak greeted the hazy, cloud-stained indigo sky.

Early rising birds chirped, beginning their calls as a sole figure walked down the deserted hallways of the clinic, adrift as a fallen leaf in the wind.

Despite the break of dawn, the light it imparted was rather feeble, compelling the surgeon to traverse the hallways in silence with an oil lamp in hand.

He was a habitual early riser, not out of a good habit but a rather pitiful one.

Most nights, his slumber arrived, fitful and fleeting as sand in fist. Nightmares plagued him, a reminiscence of a time long gone. The scream, the blood-chilling bang of a gun, the click of the trigger being pulled. All of it never allowed him a full night of rest.

Perhaps, he lacked the feeling of safety, of the reassurance that his vulnerability could not be exploited. His mind worked strangely, so much so that even Li Xinyun himself was not certain how.

Yesternight, after putting Liu Mingyun to sleep and assuring Namgung Jihye that the patient she brought in was not in danger anymore, the surgeon had returned to his room and mulled over his notes before retiring for the night.

Now, roused — rudely — from his slumber by yet another nightmare, Li Xinyuan made his way towards his betrothed’s room, wondering absently if the man was awake too; though he would expect nothing less of a Crown Prince, he would also not put it past him to still be asleep.

Especially since the analgesic the surgeon had administered as well as the exhaustion from the wounds must still weigh heavy on him.

Standing in front of the wooden door separating him and Liu Mingyun, Li Xinyuan inhaled deeply, feeling his body become tense instead of relaxing. After the confession debacle the previous night, he was — understandably — rather hesitant to face the Crown Prince. What if the younger man thought him strange for having confessed so soon?

Of course, Li Xinyuan had no way of knowing unless he braved the shame and faced the Crown Prince (should he truly be awake).

Carefully, the surgeon licked his somewhat dry lips, breathing lightly out of nervousness as he raised his hand to knock on the door.

"My Liege?" His voice was low, slightly tumultuous but soothing. "Are you awake?"

A few seconds ticked by without an answer. Once again, he tried to call the Crown Prince and received no response.

After waiting for a few moments to pass, Li Xinyuan cleared his throat, voice firm as he spoke. "Then, I will be entering, My Liege."

He thought this warning to be sufficient and pushed the door open, face tranquil as his gait.

... As expected.

With a smile, Li Xinyuan slowly shook his head, suppressing a chuckle threatening to bubble out of his throat. His raven locks, allowed free from the bun secured carefully with a ribbon, swished along with his movement as he strode nearer.

Holding a tray with fresh dressings in one hand and the lamp in the other, the surgeon gazed down at Liu Mingyun sleeping soundly on the bed.

How astounding that the Crown Prince had seemingly not moved an inch from how Li Xinyuan had left him.

What an obedient patient.

Cautiously, the raven-haired man set the lamp on the bedside table and took a seat on the chair he used just last night. Perhaps it was for the best that Liu Mingyun was not awake. If he was awake, the surgeon would have no inclination of how to deal with the awkwardness it would bring.

With that thought in mind, Li Xinyuan began to very carefully clean and redress Liu Mingyun’s wounds, all the while being quietly amazed at how fast the latter was recovering.

Almost as if he could regenerate.

Li Xinyuan paused, freezing in the middle of wrapping the bandages.

Regenerate? Come to think of it... With just how severe the wounds were, I would fully expect him to have lost an organ or two.

Slowly, his golden irises trailed down the Crown Prince’s toned torso, lips pursed. If his memory served true, when the latter was brought to the clinic, he was not lacking any organ at all.

With a regenerative ability like his, shouldn’t Liu Mingyun be a Peak Expert? How did he get so gravely injured?

Suddenly, a bone-deep chill crawled down his spine. If Liu Mingyun, the protagonist-cum-male lead, could be so grievously injured – nevermind the void chances of him really dying – because of something which was definitely unnatural...

Moreover, assuming that such a thing had occurred only because Li Xinyuan’s interference with the plot was too much. The World’s Consciousness most likely needed him and Namgung Jihye to meet in order to restore any semblance of balance.

The surgeon’s breath faltered, alarm rising fast in his heart at each thought barging into his mind unbidden.

If the World’s Consciousness could go so far as to allow its darling son to be this injured...Then how far did this damned thing’s influence truly run?

Slowly, Li Xinyuan’s trembling eyes roved down the Crown Prince’s person, his breathing light and cold sweat running down his back.

Inaudibly as he could, the surgeon swallowed the lump gathering in his throat. He was still ignorant to just how Liu Mingyun was able to get himself so utterly harmed.

How could it have happened?

In the bed, having roused from his sleep a few moments before, Liu Mingyun quietly watched his betrothed mull over something.

Afraid of disrupting his thoughts, the Crown Prince waited a few moments longer before finally announcing his wakefulness.

"... Xin’er?"

Instantly, his attention snapped to Liu Mingyun who was now awake. "My Liege," swiftly, he finished securing the dressing and distanced himself, "did I awaken you?"

The surgeon’s voice was low and sheepish, his hands working to gather the used bandages in order to dispose of them.

Liu Mingyun quietly observed him for a few long seconds before slowly shaking his head. "I have been awake for a few moments." His voice was hoarse, rest-heavy and exhausted as the dull heaviness of opium thrummed in the back of his head. "You needn’t come so early. Xin’er should have slept some more."

His words were far steadier than last night and his complexion had also improved significantly.

"I could not sleep," Li Xinyuan confessed after a beat, his beautiful golden eyes cast down and hands slowly and carefully folding the bloodied bandages.. "So, I thought to keep myself busy."

At that, Liu Mingyun could not help but frown with concern. "Why, pray tell, Xin’er?"

The cadence of his voice made the surgeon pause, the concern in it making his heart skip a beat.

"An old ailment, " he divulged vaguely, not wanting to burden the Crown Prince with his worries. "I rarely sleep a full night, My Liege. I have grown used to it."

"But you should not have to."

"Your Highness, I am well, truly."

"Xin’er." Liu Mingyun frowned, reaching to take the surgeon’s hand in his own. "Listen to me."

Li Xinyuan sighed in defeat, squeezing the Crown Prince’s hand helplessly. "I am listening."

"You should sleep."

"..."

"Xin’er." The Crown Prince’s carmine eyes narrowed with displeasure.

"I will. Once I return."

"No. You shall sleep here. With This Prince."

Li Xinyuan stilled at those words. Although the Crown Prince clearly meant them as a suggestion or perhaps even a request, they came out more as a command.

And the surgeon had a tendency to rebel against commands.

"Your Highness," he sighed deeply, staring down at the pile of bandages. "I really do not believe such a thing would be proper."

Liu Mingyun breathed out through his nose, frustration at his betrothed’s repeated avoidance showing its signs.

"I understand. Propriety and everything, yes. However, I would rather be improper than watch you push yourself unnecessarily, Xin’er." His hands squeezed Li Xinyuan’s, the pad of his thumb running on the latter’s knuckles in slow circles. "Unless, you really do not wish to. Then, I will not compel you so."

Li Xinyuan’s lips pursed thin, eyes narrowing in consideration. He had two choices: give into Liu Mingyun’s demand (for his own good) or stand his ground and continue refusing.

He was refusing only for a single reason:

What if the nightmares returned? How would he explain why he was even plagued by them? After all, to Liu Mingyun, he was but a young man his age.

How would someone so young have such bad dreams? He would not be able to explain himself.

Liu Mingyun observed Li Xinyuan silence, taking in his flitting eyes. Watching his behaviour, the Crown Prince could not help but feel like he had something to hide.

His hand tightened around Li Xinyuan’s, for moment, question was on the tip of his tongue before he swallowed it, thinking better of it.

If Xin’er wanted to share, he would share what burdened him eventually.

He did not need to push him and cause a friction in their relationship.

"I am saying this thinking of your own good," in a firm tone, the Crown Prince added, "but if it discomforts you, do not comply, Xin’er."

He watched as the surgeon’s beautiful golden eyes snapped to meet his own, doubt evident in his gaze.

So, Liu Mingyun gave him a smile, thin, and calm. "This is not the Forbidden City, and neither am I the Crown Prince right now. Your defiance will not be punished, rest assured."

Li Xinyuan’s eyebrows raised as he canted his head to the side, a small smile crawling upon his lips. "Why, would My Liege punish me if it were the Forbidden City?"

Liu Mingyun’s thoughts halted, belated as it was, he realised the inadvertent implication of his own words.

However, instead of retreating, he pushed forward anyway.

With a slight chuckle, the Crown Prince gave a slight grin, flashing his teeth a little.

"Perhaps."

The surgeon gasped, feigning offense. "Your Highness, that is not the answer!"