I Don't Want to Be a Charmboy【Quick Wear】

Chapter 410 His Highness the Crown Prince is Outstandingly Talented (48)

After that day, Jiu Fangcheng indeed seemed to have disappeared from Lin Shen's sight.

For several days in a row, whether it was during meetings at the Eastern Palace or chance encounters on the palace road, Lin Shen never saw that familiar figure in black again.

Lin Shen was still holding a grudge, feeling that this guy was being unreasonable and that it was better to stay away from him.

Lin Shen went to Lin Ming's secluded but quiet palace almost every day to personally check on his injuries, supervise his medication, and sometimes even stay and talk with him until Lin Ming fell asleep before leaving.

Lin Ming was naturally delighted. His pale face regained some color with Lin Shen's arrival, and his eyes were gentle and dependent, as if Lin Shen was his only support.

He never mentioned Jiu Fangcheng's offense that day again, only occasionally when Lin Shen looked out of the hall in a thoughtful manner, a trace of gloom would flash across his eyes.

That evening, after finishing his official duties, Lin Shen felt utterly exhausted.

Perhaps due to his worries over the past few days, he dismissed his attendants and went alone to the hot spring pool in the rear hall of the East Palace.

The hot spring is fed by fresh water from outside the palace, creating a misty atmosphere. The pool walls are made of white marble, and thin gauze curtains hang around the perimeter.

Lin Shen removed his elaborate princely robes, and his inner garment slipped down, revealing a slightly thin but powerful physique.

He slowly stepped into the pool, and the warm water instantly enveloped him, dispelling some of his fatigue.

He leaned against the edge of the pool, closed his eyes, and let the steam envelop him.

Water droplets rolled down his long, jet-black hair, across his smooth forehead and straight nose, finally disappearing into the hollow of his collarbone.

The heat gave his jade-like skin a faint blush, and his long eyelashes, damp with moisture, drooped obediently, casting a small shadow under his eyes.

The usually dignified and composed Crown Prince had let down his guard at this moment, revealing a breathtaking, fragile yet pure beauty amidst the misty steam, as if a banished immortal had strayed into the mortal world and been tainted by the scent of desire.

Just as he was relaxing and almost dozing off, there was a very slight noise behind him.

If it weren't for the ripples in the water, it would be almost impossible to notice.

Lin Shen suddenly opened his eyes. Before he could turn around, a pair of rough, warm hands were already pressing on his shoulders.

His body stiffened for a moment, then relaxed.

The only person who could enter the forbidden area of ​​the Eastern Palace so silently and get close to him without triggering an alarm would be that bastard.

"It seems Your Highness's guard has weakened considerably these past few days." A deep and familiar voice sounded from behind, carrying a hint of barely perceptible hoarseness and... grievance?

Lin Shen didn't turn around or push him away. He simply closed his eyes again, his tone calm and even: "Isn't General Jiufang busy being angry? How come you have time to come to my hot spring to be a bath attendant?"

The person behind him paused for a moment, and then began to knead his stiff shoulder and neck muscles with a firm but not too heavy touch.

The technique was surprisingly skillful, possessing the strength and precision unique to martial artists, and it perfectly relieved the soreness.

"How dare I be angry with Your Highness?"

Jiu Fangcheng squatted by the pond, his tall figure casting a shadow over the deep forest. He lowered his head, his gaze lingering greedily on the fair nape of her neck exposed to the air and moisture, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily.

"I am angry with myself."

"Oh?" Lin Shen snorted, neither confirming nor denying.

"I'm angry at myself for losing my temper and speaking recklessly, which displeased Your Highness." Jiu Fangcheng's voice lowered, carrying a rare, almost earnest sincerity. "That day, I was a fool. I talked nonsense. I... was blinded by jealousy."

His hands kept moving, his fingertips feeling the warm, smooth skin beneath them, and the emptiness in his heart that had been there for days seemed to be filled little by little.

God knows how he's been these past few days! At first, he was angry and frustrated, waiting for Lin Shen to scold him, or even to fight him.

But after waiting and waiting, all they received was news that His Highness the Crown Prince was going to the Fourth Prince's palace every day.

He was like a wild beast trapped in a cage, restless and anxious, yet helpless.

Ultimately, all pride and anger crumbled in the torment of not being able to see this person.

He couldn't stand it. He couldn't stand not seeing him, he couldn't stand having someone else standing next to him, even if that person was his "brother".

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong." Jiu Fangcheng's voice was even lower, almost pleading. "Your Highness may punish me or scold me, but... please don't ignore me."

Lin Shen kept his eyes closed, feeling the just-right massage on his shoulders and neck. His nerves, which had been tense for several days, seemed to slowly relax under this force.

He could hear the sincerity in Jiu Fangcheng's words. This guy had probably never been so humble in his life.

"Why should I pay attention to you?" Lin Shen's tone remained indifferent. "Didn't the general think that my actions were inappropriate and prone to controversy?"

Jiu Fangcheng tightened his grip slightly, then immediately relaxed. He leaned down, his hot breath brushing against Lin Shen's ear, carrying the steam of the hot spring, both intimate and burning: "It was my pettiness, my overthinking. How Your Highness acts is none of my business. But..." He paused, a suppressed pain in his voice, "Your Highness, do you know how terrified I was that night when I couldn't find you, thinking something had happened to you? Later, I learned you were in someone else's palace... I kept watch all night, and here I am..."

He freed one hand, clenched his fist, and pounded his left chest, right over his heart, making a dull thud, "like being fried in oil and burned by fire."

Lin Shen's heart trembled slightly at the sound of that muffled thud.

Seeing Lin Shen remain silent, Jiu Fangcheng grew bolder.

He no longer limited himself to the shoulders and neck; his wet palms slowly moved down Lin Shen's smooth back, the movements carrying a cautious probing yet an undeniable force.

The distinct knuckles of the fingers traced the hollow of the spine, sending a subtle shiver through them.

His actions were ambiguous and possessive, yet his posture was extremely humble, like a beast that had retracted all its claws and fangs, only willing to reveal its softest belly to its sole master, begging for mercy.

"Your Highness..." Jiu Fangcheng's lips almost touched Lin Shen's earlobe, his voice hoarse, "Don't send me away. I will never be jealous again. As long as I can see you and stay by your side, I'll do anything."

The warm pool water, the perfect massage, the burning body temperature and almost humble pleas of the person behind him, all intertwined to form an invisible net that bound Lin Shen tightly.

The anger he felt from being offended had long since dissipated after several days apart and now that they were being honest with each other.

He sighed softly, but ultimately did not push away the hand that lingered on his back.

"It won't happen again."

Four simple words, spoken with a light touch, yet like a pardon, instantly illuminated the darkness in Jiu Fangcheng's eyes. He was overjoyed, and his movements became even more gentle and devout, as if he were wiping an enshrined statue.

"Yes! Your subject obeys!" He answered quickly and loudly, with a sense of relief and joy.

The steam still lingered around the two of them.

Jiu Fangcheng squatted behind him, looking at Lin Shen's relaxed profile, his heart filled with joy.