Reborn To Be The Imperial Consort [BL]-Chapter 177: Swaying Jasmine — I

The silence followed by Li Xinyuan’s abrupt confession felt like he had been pushed into an ice cellar.

Overcome by embarrassment of his hasty behaviour, burning heat seemed to climb up his neck as the surgeon opened his mouth, wanting to take back his words.

But before he could even allow himself to retrieve those words, Liu Mingyun turned his face away, swiftly dissolving into a fit of raspy coughs.

A bolt shot right up Li Xinyuan’s body at the painful wheezing coughs and the realisation set in: against his better judgement, his betrothed had forced himself upright.

To kiss him.

Which, quite obviously, sent his injuries spiralling.

Fool! Shaken, the surgeon rebuked the Crown Prince in his mind. Who asked you to get up?!

In front of him, Liu Mingyun coughed, wheezing from the lack of breath in his lungs as he gasped, head spinning from a dizzy spell and the buzzing heat from Li Xinyuan’s confession.

Love? Distantly, the Crown Prince thought. Did Xin’er really confess to him? Or was it but a slip of tongue made under the influence of the kiss.

Despite the physical impairment as well as tumultuous thoughts in his mind, Liu Mingyun could not help but wonder.

What do I have to say in return?

Must he confess too? Was it not, perhaps, a leap too big or an action too abrupt.

Gasping tightly, the Crown Prince held his head despite the burning ache all over his person, eyes squeezed shut.

What did he want to do?

What was he supposed to do?

Must he, too, confess at a moment like this?

His head spun, as did the world around him, in spite of the darkness of his closed eyes.

"Your Highness!" Li Xinyuan called, far too anxious to spare any thought towards his overlooked confession. "Sit back."

With careful hands and an anxious heart, the surgeon helped Liu Mingyun lean back, the muscle thundering wildly against his chest.

His gaze flitted across the Crown Prince’s pale visage, the fine beads of cold sweat gathered on his forehead, and to the tightly shut eyes.

A clear sign of pain.

But it would be less than ideal to make him lie down once more. Slowly, he let go of Liu Mingyun’s shoulders and backed away, speaking in a soothing whisper as he did so.

"Try and remain still," the surgeon stood, backing away towards the door, "I shall go and fetch something to relieve your pain."

It was a kind reassurance, though mounted by anxiety that seemed bent on choking him.

In response, as Li Xinyuan rushed out of the dark room, he heard Liu Mingyun groan softly.

Despite being prepared for a scenario like this one — of course, not the kiss, but Liu Mingyun being in pain — the surgeon’s hands shook as he reached for a new dressing as well as opium for pain relief.

Ideally, he would not use the drug for analgesic effects, but in such ancient times, he hardly could afford to choose.

And a measured doze would not be bad.

Returning to the room after a few minutes too long, the surgeon quickly began to administer the analgesic.

"This is why I asked you to refrain from moving. But no, you had to do this, right?" Breathing a sigh of relief afterwards, Li Xinyuan sat down again, held the Crown Prince’s hand tight, and even found time to admonish him for recklessness.

Liu Mingyun groaned, slowly the pain relief took effect, dulling some of the agony amok in his body.

"Xin’er," he tried to smile, though it looked far too lopsided to be normal, "you do not see what I did."

Li Xinyuan frowned at his words, feeling his stomach clench at those words. He knew he had spiralled a little, but he did not think it would be severe enough for Liu Mingyun to do what he did.

"And so?" His lips pursed. "The best solution you could think of was to sit up and kiss me?"

"I... I could not think of anything better." Liu Mingyun’s voice was lethargic and feeble, but he was not dishonest. "I could not find anything comforting to say."

Li Xinyuan paused, the words of admonishment he was about to say stuck in his throat. Right. Of course, the Crown Prince did not know how to comfort.

Inhaling deeply, the surgeon swallowed his words. Lips pressed thin, he carefully ran the pad of his thumb over Liu Mingyun’s hand, staring down at the bedsheet.

"Of course." He began, voice low and cadence gentler. "I understand. Really, I do. However, My Liege," he looked up, taking in the obvious signs of slumber crawling up Liu Mingyun’s handsome features, "I hope you keep in mind, such an abrupt thing, anything physical that might lead to a start, is ill-advised."

Liu Mingyun nodded, trying to keep his heavy eyes open, trying to keep his focus on Li Xinyuan. "I see. I... Apologise."

"All is well, My Liege." The surgeon tried to smile, though it looked a bit strained. The obvious struggle to stay away was hard to be oblivious of. "But you must be careful, should there be a next time. It was your fortune, perhaps, that I did not react adversely to the kiss."

Though lethargic, Liu Mingyun suddenly remembered the still unaddressed issue of the surgeon’s confession.

But before he could open his mouth, reaching to try and touch Li Xinyuan’s face, the surgeon pulled away slightly.

Even with sleep weighing heavy on his body, that action stung.

"You should rest, My Liege. You need it, desperately."

"No." The Crown Prince mumbled. "I have something to" —his stubborn fingers loosely grasping at a lock of Li Xinyuan’s hair— "say... I... Think..."

And just like that, his head lolled forward as slumber dragged him into its inevitable clutches.

From the corner of his eyes, Li Xinyuan glanced at the lock of his hair the Crown Prince was stubbornly holding onto.

With a helpless smile, the surgeon gingerly pulled his hair out of Liu Mingyun’s grasp, watching as the fingers tightened around nothing afterwards.

"You really should rest." He whispered to none, the words carrying away in the night breeze. Gently, he brought the limp hand to his lips and pressed a kiss on it.

Standing up, the surgeon strode over to the partially ajar window and pulled it shut, wary of the increasing cold.

Then, he returned to Liu Mingyun’s side, cautiously adjusted his posture, tucking a pillow under his knees and back to elevate his upper body.

He tucked a few loose strands away from the Crown Prince’s face before finally walking to the door. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"Good night, Your Highness."