Faced with his cold expression, Yan Jingxuan felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him; all the warmth in his heart vanished instantly.
Lin Zili ignored him, dressing himself with effort and forcing his body to endure the discomfort as he climbed out of bed. The moment his feet touched the floor, he felt a wave of soreness and weakness in his waist, causing him to stagger.
Yan Jingxuan reached out to steady him. “You…”
Lin Zili regained his balance and pulled away from his grasp. “Thank you, Your Highness. I shall take my leave now.”
Yan Jingxuan watched his hand, left hanging in the air, before clenching it. He looked at Lin Zili’s slight, wavering back and spoke coldly. “Lin Zili!”
Lin Zili paused but did not turn around. “Does Your Highness have further business?”
Yan Jingxuan strode forward, scooped him up, and pressed him firmly back onto the bed, his expression a mix of sorrow and resentment. “What exactly do you want? We are already in this position; can you not show me a pleasant face?”
Lin Zili was stunned by the sudden movement and struggled instinctively, but his exhaustion quickly led to him being firmly pinned by Yan Jingxuan once more. Realizing he could not break free, he stopped trying. Hearing such ridiculous words, he scoffed, his eyes filled with hatred. “What position are we in?”
“You have already gotten what you wanted. What more do you seek? You have had your way with me, so stop putting on this act of undying affection. It makes me sick!”
Yan Jingxuan felt a sharp pain in his heart, his grip loosening slightly. “Do you not believe that my feelings for you are genuine?”
Lin Zili’s eyes reddened with fury. He spat out a mocking laugh. “Genuine? How much is sincerity worth? I was a eunuch, one man below the Emperor, enjoying boundless wealth and fine silks. Why did you have to come back? Why must you treat me this way?”
“I hate you! I hate that you are not a villain yet commit every villainous act. I hate that you did not die on the battlefield!”
Yan Jingxuan’s lips trembled. He tried to argue, but his throat felt constricted, unable to utter a single sound. He stared at the near-hysterical Lin Zili, his heart feeling as though it were being pierced by countless needles.
Finally, he laughed in a rage and stood up coldly. “Very well. Since you are so fearless of authority, I need not show any more mercy.”
Lin Zili screamed, “What are you trying to do?!”
Yan Jingxuan ignored his struggles and scooped him up, holding him firmly in his arms as he strode toward the door. “We agreed yesterday. Today, I am taking you back to my manor.” His voice was low and brooked no argument.
Lin Zili felt as if his heart were burning. With bloodshot eyes, he roared, “I am not going! Let me go! I will go to the Emperor to have you punished!”
“Rest assured, I will explain the situation to my nephew, the Emperor.”
Outside, the eunuchs and maids heard the commotion and lowered their heads, staring at the ground, not daring to breathe for fear of catching a glimpse of something they should not.
Sunlight flooded the courtyard as Yan Jingxuan carried Lin Zili straight toward the carriage. The driver, waiting nearby, jumped down and opened the door. Yan Jingxuan stepped inside with Lin Zili securely in his arms.
Inside the carriage, Lin Zili continued to struggle until Yan Jingxuan said coldly, “Stop wasting your strength. You are coming with me whether you like it or not.”
“Yan Jingxuan! You are a Prince of this nation; to act so lawlessly violates all morality! Are you not afraid of divine retribution?!” Lin Zili stared daggers at him.
Yan Jingxuan simply held him tighter and offered no reply. The carriage began to move, the wheels rumbling as a heavy, oppressive silence filled the space.
Lin Zili struggled for a long time, but seeing it was futile, he collapsed in exhaustion, like a boneless creature in the man’s arms.
They finally arrived at the manor. Yan Jingxuan carried Lin Zili through the corridors to the inner courtyard. Servants retreated as they passed, not daring to speak. He was back in the manor, but unlike last time, Lin Zili was taken directly into Yan Jingxuan’s master suite.
Perhaps realizing that an arm could not twist a thigh, Lin Zili ceased his physical resistance, though he never once offered a pleasant look. Yan Jingxuan locked him in the room, ordered everyone not to open the door, and left.
Lin Zili spent his time smashing everything in the room, cursing loudly until he finally sat on the bed to catch his breath. The guards at the door listened to the commotion, looking miserable, waiting for his anger to subside so they could have someone clean the room.
Yan Jingxuan did not return for two days. The door was only opened to deliver food and water. The tea sets and vases were shattered and replaced repeatedly. Yan Jingxuan stayed away partly due to official business and partly out of a desire to avoid the conflict. He did not return to the manor, instead spending his nights drinking to drown his sorrows at Cheng Wei’s place.
Cheng Wei, annoyed beyond measure, finally threw him out. With no other choice, Yan Jingxuan returned. He sat in his study, rubbing his temples. “How has he been these past two days? Has he calmed down?”
The steward knew exactly who he was asking about. He shook his head with a bitter expression. “No, Young Master Lin has smashed batch after batch of items. He has not touched any of the food delivered to him. It has been two days, and he has not eaten a thing. There is truly nothing more we can do. Your Highness, please go see him. How can he survive without eating?”
Yan Jingxuan’s brows knitted into a tight line. He stood up abruptly and strode toward Lin Zili’s room.
Hearing the door open, Lin Zili slowly lifted his head, his gaze cold as it locked with Yan Jingxuan’s. Yan Jingxuan felt that gaze like an ice blade cutting into his heart, causing him immense pain.
Lin Zili turned away. “Why are you here? To see if I have starved to death yet?”
Yan Jingxuan crouched by the bed to be at eye level with him. “Why will you not eat?”
“None of your concern!” Lin Zili turned his face away, tears rolling down uncontrollably.
Yan Jingxuan reached out to wipe his tears, but Lin Zili suddenly grabbed his hand and bit down hard on the web between his thumb and index finger. Yan Jingxuan stiffened from the pain, but he endured it without pulling back, letting Lin Zili vent his resentment and grievances.
Blood flowed from Lin Zili’s lip, staining the space between them a blinding red.
“Hiss…” Yan Jingxuan could not help but gasp, his forehead breaking out in a fine layer of sweat, but he only furrowed his brows, showing no hint of anger.