Lingxiao, Huali, and even Nangong Du were all caught dumbfounded! Though the three of them had different backgrounds, experiences, and temperaments, their understanding of Zixiu was only based on his outstanding appearance and his lively personality (as far as Nangong Du was concerned, Liu Zixiu was childish and ignorant). Therefore, they had never thought that a sixteen-year-old country boy would have made some shocking remarks so casually. Whatâs more, he did not seem to think it was a big deal!
Even though they had been obsessed with medicine since childhood and had never been interested in politics, Lingxiao and Huali could not help but feel worried because of Zixiuâs recklessness and boldness. As for the undisguised remarks he had just made about love, they might assume that he said so because he was young and passionate. And now he was talking about royal infighting in the presence of a prince! What he had just said was enough to get him sentenced to death! It was not because they were afraid of Nangong Du, but because of their reverence for the supreme imperial power! This reverence stemmed from the belief in the divine right of kings which was deep-rooted in everyoneâs mind for generations! Zixiuâs words were blasphemy to God!
As the prince of the Nan Kingdom, Nangong Du, who had grown up in a place where everyone intrigued against each other, and witnessed the succession of the crown (his brother Nangong Ao ascended the throne five years ago after the death of the previous emperor), had to admit that Liu Zixiuâs analysis about the struggle for imperial power was quite accurate. What shocked him more was Liu Zixiu had found out that he had been acting all the time, trying to make people think he was just a foppish dandy. As far as he was concerned, Liu Zixiu was a clumsy, eccentric, contradictory creature, often raving, sometimes timid, sometimes arrogant, sometimes weak, and sometimes tough! Â How did he suddenly become so intelligent and sharp? However, it was unlikely that a spy would have uttered such a penetrating remark in front of his enemy. When he talked about the dark, bloody, inhumane court battles and political intrigues, he looked so calm, and even indifferent, as if these were just part of some boring dramas and he was just an audience!
How come Liu Zixiu behaved as if he were someone who was not of their time was talking about history? How could he show a transcendent look in history? What did he mean by âI know too many stories of usurpers and regicidesâ? What was on his mind? Who the hell was Liu Zixiu?
âAh!â
A miserable scream broke the silence. Zixiu finally realized that he had got himself into trouble because of what he said. He was so anxious that he held his head with one hand and stroked his belly with the other. He cried out as if he were in great pain. âAh! My head⦠Ah! My belly⦠Senior Brotherâ¦â
Hearing Zixiu calling him, Huali immediately threw the divine right of kings and the faith of his ancestors to the wind, and immediately shifted his attention to Zixiu. Although as a skilled physician, he had found out that Zixiu was acting, he asked anxiously about his condition and carefully tucked him in.
âXiuxiu, donât worry. It wonât hurt after you fall asleep!â Lingxiao also figured out that Zixiu was acting, but he would not lay bare his tricks. He then tucked the quilt for him carefully. After all, Zixiu was weak, and he did suffer a lot from a killing pain a few hours ago!
âHm!â Hearing that, Zixiu immediately wrapped himself even tighter with the quilt âfeeblyâ.
However, Nangong Du was not that stupid!
âLiu Zixiu, donât try to fool me!â
ââ¦â Disregarding what he said, Zixiu buried his face in the quilt. He had known what kind of person Nangong Du wasâIf he yelled and made a lot of threats, he would not really do anything to him in the end, but if he remained silent, the consequence could be serious!
Sure enough, Nangong Duâs voice rang loudly again. âIf you dare to sleep with other guys, Iâll definitely break your legs!â
âWhat?â Zixiu made a face under the quilt. He felt sorry for Nangong Du because of his strange way of thinking! He had been with Nangong Du for a few months. To be frank, In spite of his personal affections and hatred, Nangong Du impressed him as a cruel, fierce, and intelligent guy, but whenever he lost his temper, he was just like a hysterical lunatic, which completely ruined his image in the eyes of other people.
âNangong Du, shut up!â Lingxiao immediately chimed in. He always spared no effort in defending Zixiu. âIf you dare to lay a finger on Xiuxiu, I wonât spare you! Come on, letâs go out and fight again! Iâm not going to leave you a chance to live through tonight!â
What he said crept Zixiu out! As a physician, how come Lingxiao did not even know it was against the law to kill?
He then popped his head out of the quilt and said earnestly, âCome on! Can you two just stop trying to cripple or kill people? Fighting doesnât solve problems, and itâs unwise to kill! You went up to the mountain, put out the fire, and had been in a fight for a few rounds, so I think you must be tired. Just do me a favor! Donât try to pick a fight tonight. Both of you havenât had dinner yet, so you must be hungry. Iâll ask my senior brother to bring you two warm rice as compensation. What do you say?â
âHumph!â Before Lingxiao could respond, Nangong Du snorted disdainfully.
Failing to distract them, Zixiu was filled with resentfulness. He continued grumpily, âThere are only two beds in my house. I need my senior brother to take care of me at night. Nangong Du, if you donât mind, you can share the same bed with usâ¦â
âNo way!â Before Zixiu could finish his word, Lingxiao protested loudly. Though he was reluctant, he could not find an excuse to stop his senior brother from taking care of Zixiu. But in any case, he would not let the pervert, Nangong Du, share the same bed with them!
Nangong Du was not satisfied with Zixiuâs suggestion either. âLiu Zixiu, Iâll make it clear once again. Except for me, youâre not allowed to sleep with anyone!â he said coldly. In addition to him, who had the right to share the same bed with Liu Zixiu?
How come he was so stubborn? This blockhead!
Irritated by Nangong Duâs attitude, Zixiu pulled his senior brother under the quilt. At the same time, he angrily cursed, âNangong Du, itâs up to you whether to share the same bed with us! Iâm not begging you! You ungrateful asshole, donât try to push your luck! Youâre such a pain in the ass! You deserve to freeze to death! You deserve it! Humph!â