CHAPTER 498: CHAPTER 498 : I NEED YOU

The next day, Xie Jianyu did not come to the Golden Dragon Palace as promised.

Instead, he sent Head Servant Zhou to give a message to the Heavenly Emperor, explaining that he was not feeling well.

"Not feeling well how?" Xie Jianshen narrowed his eyes at Head Servant Zhou, his gaze laced with suspicion.

"Uh..."

Head Servant Zhou cleared his throat awkwardly.

"He, uh, has some difficulties to walk around and..."

He was unable to continue because Xie Jianshen’s murderous intent was palpable in the air. He thus quickly dropped to his feet and loudly begged for forgiveness, "This servant is wrong! Your Majesty, please do not be angry!"

Xie Jianshen shot the beta a vicious glare before he averted his gaze and scoffed in disdain.

Zhang Fengxi, that lecherous rascal!

Maybe he should have thrown the divorce edict at Zhang Fengxi’s face instead of giving it to Xie Jianyu. His younger brother was a gentle soul. He could easily be coaxed by hugs and kisses.

Thus Xie Jianshen had to be satisfied with sending food over to Fuxi Palace, all the while fuming about the ridiculous affair that took place between the married couple behind closed doors.

When Xie Jianyu finally showed up the day after, he was late to the morning assembly.

The walk from the palace gate to the audience hall seemed to stretch on forever, each step an agonizing reminder of Zhang Fengxi’s ferociousness in bed.

By the time he reached the hall, the Crown Prince’s face was etched with a dark gloom, and he could barely suppress a groan as he rubbed his sore waist.

Kneeling was not an option, so he could only ask for his elder brother’s forgiveness in that aspect.

"I apologize, Big Brother, may I please remain standing?"

Xie Jianshen pursed his lips and snapped his fingers wordlessly.

Head Eunuch Lu quickly approached with a chair for Xie Jianyu to sit on.

"What happened to you?" Xie Jianshen asked although he knew exactly what happened.

Xie Jianyu pulled a grimace in response, not willing to tell his elder brother the truth.

"I sprained my waist."

"Aha."

Xie Jianshen’s face darkened visibly. Before he exploded, Xie Jianyu had a good sense of retrieving the royal decree he received from Xie Jianshen two days ago.

"Big Brother, I would like to return this edict."

Xie Jianshen folded his arms and arched a brow at the crumpled edict in Xie Jianyu’s hands. Head Eunuch Lu dutifully received the edict and held it in his hands, waiting for Xie Jianshen to speak.

"Let me guess. Zhang Fengxi trampled on the edict."

"No," Xie Jianyu answered in a solemn voice. To be exact, Zhang Fengxi had done everything possible to the edict save from ripping it apart and spitting on it. The edict had become his archnemesis during its short stay in Fuxi Palace. Naturally, Xie Jianyu was not stupid enough to give his elder brother an excuse to punish his husband.

Xie Jianshen took the royal decree from Xie Jianyu’s hand and asked, "What should I do with the edict?"

Xie Jianyu smiled.

"Please destroy it, Big Brother."

Xie Jianshen sighed.

"Are you not going to regret it? You have only been with him for a while and he already killed you twice."

They might have been married for over six years, but Xie Jianyu spent five years of them sleeping in the mausoleum, and the rest suffering from Zhang Fengxi’s actions.

Xie Jianyu shook his head.

"Fengxi took that burden to prevent me from accumulating further sins. Thanks to him, I was able to return to the Heavenly Realm. As for my death in my previous life, I forgave him a long time ago."

A scoff escaped Xie Jianshen’s lips as he rose from the Dragon Throne. "Aren’t you a little too forgiving, Little Yu?"

Xie Jianyu mirrored his brother’s action, pushing himself out of the chair. He then met Xie Jianshen’s gaze. "I don’t want to dwell on the past, brother," he said, his voice firm with conviction. "I wish to focus on the future, to spend my remaining days with those I hold dear."

A frown creased Xie Jianshen’s brow. He was aware of Xie Jianyu’s feelings for Zhang Fengxi all those years ago, and acceptance still eluded him. It felt like the younger brother he’d nurtured was drifting away, drawn towards a life he couldn’t share. Despite the throngs around him, a hollowness settled in Xie Jianshen’s chest, a pang of loneliness he couldn’t quite shake.

But then Xie Jianyu reached out and hugged him from behind.

"Naturally, it includes you, Big Brother."

Xie Jianshen’s lips parted, a silent struggle playing out in his heart. He yearned to retort, but the words wouldn’t come. Seeing that his elder brother had nothing to say, Xie Jianyu continued talking.

"I have been away for so long, Big Brother. I cannot imagine life without your guidance and support. Please, can you stay close to me and help me out?"

This time, Xie Jianshen gave him a curt nod in response.

"Thank you, Big Brother."

Xie Jianyu pressed a kiss against Xie Jianshen’s shoulder.

The frown between the Emperor’s brows deepened when he sensed that something was amiss.

"Wait a second."

Xie Jianshen cupped Xie Jianyu’s face with both hands. He noticed the unusual heat radiating from his brother’s skin. Xie Jianyu’s eyes, usually bright and lively, seemed glazed over, and his lips were flushed a crimson redder than usual.

"You have a fever."

"Mmm," Xie Jianyu confirmed.

"... Does it mean that..." The revelation left Xie Jianshen speechless. What the hell was wrong with Zhang Fengxi? Was he unable to hold back for several years? His Little Yu had just returned from the Underworld!

Xie Jianyu’s cheeks flushed bright pink in embarrassment.

"Maybe," he softly said as he placed a protective hand against his abdomen. "Right now, it is too early to tell."

Xie Jianshen rolled with his eyes.

"It better be another dragon baby."

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Author’s note :

What do you think, loyal readers? (⁠｡⁠•̀⁠ᴗ⁠-⁠)⁠✧