The bedroom was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Only the two cautious breathing sounds were shallowly and closely intertwined.
The sesame oil lamp burned quietly, and the dim yellow light wrapped the silent room. Only the bedding beneath them was being squeezed tighter and tighter, wrinkling into a few awkward shapes.
Shen Zheng knew that he had received permission.
But he didn't recklessly cross that line. First, he gently placed his palm on Wen Zhuo's knee and stroked it, gradually dissolving Wen Zhuo's tense guard.
Sure enough, the legs that were still trembling slightly at first gradually stabilized.
After Wen Zhuo relaxed a bit, he clasped the bend of his knees and gently separated them to one side with a slight force.
He didn't encounter much resistance. The "cat" hung his eyes very low, fixedly staring at his own chest. His two eyelashes, like the wings of a returning bird, were so dense that they could cover all the guilt in his eyes.
He was like a child who had done something wrong and didn't want others to see his ashamed expression.
Shen Zheng's gaze fell on Wen Zhuo's plain silk undergarments. The few bloodstains were not yet dry, clinging tightly to the side of his legs. Against the backdrop of the snow - white silk, they were particularly eye - catching.
He held his breath, pinched the ribbon on the undergarment with two fingers, and then gently patted Wen Zhuo's knees: "I'm going to untie it."
The ribbon was slowly pulled out from the knot. Wen Zhuo could clearly feel that detachment, firm and slow, leaving no room for him to decide for himself.
Finally, with a certain definite pause, the ribbon was completely loosened, and the soft silk fell on his lower abdomen, no longer a restraint.
Wen Zhuo found that hanging his eyes was no longer enough to deceive himself. He simply, in a self - abandoning manner, raised his wide sleeves and covered his whole face tightly.
Who was he to laugh at the fool in the Spring and Autumn period who tried to steal a bell? Everyone would do the same.
"The undergarment is stuck to the wound. It will hurt a bit when I peel it off," Shen Zheng said compassionately.
He reached out to push aside the ribbon scattered on the abdomen. He knew clearly that he had crossed the last obstacle. Now, in front of him was just a piece of seemingly imposing soft silk.
Shen Zheng placed his palm on Wen Zhuo's waist. His middle finger and ring finger gently slipped into the edge of the soft silk, but he didn't rush to move down. Instead, he pressed his thumb on Wen Zhuo's flat abdomen with a thin layer of sweat and gently massaged it along the muscle texture.
Wen Zhuo was a shade fairer than him all over his body, and this contrast was particularly clear.
After soothing him enough, Shen Zheng slapped his waist with his palm.
"Teacher, lift your hips."
Wen Zhuo didn't follow the instruction. Instead, he "swished" his sleeves up even more, covering his ears as well.
Seeing this, Shen Zheng was both annoyed and amused.
Actually, as long as the "little cat" slightly lifted his hips, Shen Zheng could hook the edge of the undergarment and pull it off. Now, he had to go to more trouble and touch more.
"Alright, the teacher has covered his ears. Maybe he can't hear me."
As soon as Shen Zheng finished speaking, his palm slid inward along Wen Zhuo's waist. His fingertips exerted force and forcefully squeezed a gap between the bedding and Wen Zhuo's back.
He lifted his wrist and easily supported that section of the waist firmly. Then, he pinched the satin with two fingers and quickly gave a tug. The soft and slippery undergarment left its owner.
The whole set of movements was smooth and left no room for refusal. Wen Zhuo was caught off guard. He didn't even have time to feel ashamed. First, a burst of cool air drilled in along the seam of his legs, and then the wound felt as if it had been soaked in salt frost. A sharp pain suddenly exploded, and cold sweat instantly soaked through his back.
He started to tremble slightly again, and a few suppressed and restrained sobs escaped from behind his wide sleeves.
It hurt so much!
He didn't expect it to hurt so much!
Shen Zheng frowned tightly. At this moment, there was no amorous thought in his mind. As soon as the undergarment was removed, a bead of blood slowly slid down the wound.
The two burned areas were originally more fragile than normal skin. Now, a layer of skin had been directly rubbed off, and there were still beads of blood and tissue fluid oozing out.
Although it was just a superficial wound, it looked bloody and the wound area was not small.
Shen Zheng secretly rejoiced that he had stopped in time. If they had continued to travel on horseback, the wound would have been airtight, and it would have been easy to get inflamed and infected. And there were no antibiotics or sterile disinfection in this era.
Nor was there ibuprofen.
If only there was. Then he could have made Wen Zhuo stop hurting.
Shen Zheng wanted to wipe the tears from the corner of Wen Zhuo's sleeve. Seeing that the blood beads on the wound were still oozing out, he rarely felt at a loss.
He had never been so flustered even when he first reported to school or went to the hospital to register alone. Wen Zhuo's slightest movement could make his heart flutter.
Seeing that Shen Zheng didn't move or say a word for a long time, Wen Zhuo felt extremely embarrassed. He subconsciously wanted to close his legs. Unexpectedly, as soon as he exerted force, Shen Zheng pressed down firmly with his palm, making him unable to move.
"Don't squeeze the wound. The skin is broken," Shen Zheng said.
"Your Highness, this is a shameful sight. Don't look," Wen Zhuo swallowed hard and managed to squeeze out a sentence. He felt that his former reserve had been completely worn away, and he lowered his head deeply, feeling extremely ashamed.
"How could that be? Teacher is beautiful from head to toe," Shen Zheng gently refuted, and his fingertips gently stroked Wen Zhuo's calf, gently relieving his tense pain.
Wen Zhuo forced a smile. He didn't believe it, but because of the pain that made his throat tighten, he didn't make a sound.
It seemed that Shen Zheng knew what he was thinking. He slowly said, "On the day we went to Chunlai Fang, teacher must have seen the scars on my body. Some were left in Nanping, and some were from horse - riding practice. Does teacher think I'm very ugly?"
Wen Zhuo was silent and shook his head through his sleeves.
There was a special feeling in his heart. He not only didn't think Shen Zheng's scars were ugly but also thought they had become a part of Shen Zheng, giving Shen Zheng a depth and mystery that a person of his age shouldn't have.
He could see beyond the superficial appearance and notice more attractive things, such as Shen Zheng's tolerance, compassion, and generosity.
Of course, the body that had been tempered countless times was also very good. It was so strong and powerful.
"I feel the same way," Shen Zheng's hand gradually stopped. He leaned forward slightly and pulled down Wen Zhuo's wide sleeves covering his face. His gaze fell on those misty eyes, "Teacher has sweated a lot. Later, we'll clean up, apply some medicine, and continue our journey after a good rest."
Just then, Liu Qiying's voice came from outside the door: "My lord, the hot water is ready. Shall I bring it in now?"
Shen Zheng untied the robe around Wen Zhuo's waist and covered his bare legs tightly. After making sure everything was okay, he raised his voice and said, "Come in."
He got up to open the door for Liu Qiying.
Liu Qiying came in holding a small wooden basin. Jiang Mannü was behind her. She carried four buckets of hot water alone and still didn't even turn red in the face or breathe heavily.
Liu Qiying placed the wooden basin on the ground: "My lord, the conditions here are simple. Usually, people stand in the basin to scrub. I really couldn't find a bathtub."
"Got it."
Liu Qiying glanced over and saw Wen Zhuo leaning on the couch, motionless. The tips of his ears were so red that they seemed to be dripping blood.
She was secretly surprised. What did His Highness say to make the lord so embarrassed?
Jiang Mannü put down the buckets: "My lord, if there's not enough water, just call me. I'll go and boil some more!"
Wen Zhuo forced himself to be calm and cleared his throat: "It's enough. You're tired too. Go and rest early."
"Then does my lord want something to eat? I'll go and cook something," Jiang Mannü asked.
"No need."
"Are we really leaving?"
"Yeah."
Liu Qiying quickly pushed Jiang Mannü, who still wanted to ask a few more questions, out of the room. Before leaving, she thoughtfully closed the door behind them.
As soon as the door was closed, Wen Zhuo whispered, "Your Highness, go and rest. I can handle it myself."
Shen Zheng didn't move. "I believe there is a bathtub, but how can you clean yourself like this?"
"..."
"Stand in the basin, and I'll ladle water for you."
"This goes against etiquette—"
"Haven't we bathed together in the hot spring?" Shen Zheng said with a tone of justification. "Moreover, it's only right for a student to serve his teacher."
"..." Wen Zhuo felt a tightness in his throat and was speechless for a moment.
He had been exhausted from days of traveling by boat and carriage. His whole body ached as if his bones were falling apart, and the wound between his legs sent sharp pains shooting through him. Not only was it difficult for him to bend down to ladle water, but even moving his steps was a struggle.
However, he still resisted. He vaguely sensed that he was becoming more and more out of line.
Perhaps it was because he had come to this strict environment that he had done many things that he shouldn't have done with a man, especially with His Highness.
For example, he had slept with his head on Shen Zheng's lap, accidentally touched Shen Zheng's private parts, and let Shen Zheng untie his underwear and examine the wound between his legs with his own hands.
Was he actually going to let Shen Zheng help him take a bath now?
"Teacher can wear your undergarment. It can cover you, right?" Shen Zheng picked up a cloth towel beside him, soaked it in the hot water, wrung it out, and handed it to Wen Zhuo.
Wen Zhuo remained silent.
Shen Zheng came up with a solution, casually closing off any chance for him to refuse.
After a short while, he supported Shen Zheng's arm and stood up. Wearing only a thin undergarment, he endured the pain from the wound and stiffly and slowly moved into the wooden basin.
The pain from the wound was bearable, but there was an even deeper sense of embarrassment... The undergarment wasn't long enough. It only just covered his upper thighs. While it could cover the front, how much could the fabric at the back cover when it was stretched?
However, he didn't have much time to think about it. A ladle of warm water poured down from the top of his head, instantly wetting his black hair. The soft satin undergarment was also soaked and clung tightly to his body like a cobweb. He immediately knew exactly what was going on.
Wen Zhuo's hands moved like lightning, covering his back with a "whoosh," his fingers slightly spread.
Shen Zheng saw it clearly and couldn't help but chuckle. What an inexperienced cat. He hadn't really thought about it at first, but this was clearly inviting him to look.
Well... round like a jade ring, bulging like a hill, smooth like jade paste, and pink like a rainbow. It really should be well covered.
Shen Zheng calmly averted his gaze and said in a normal tone, "What, does teacher want me to wash you with my hands?"
Hearing this, Wen Zhuo seemed to wake up from a dream. He had put his hands there. Was he really going to let Shen Zheng wipe every part of his body?
He stiffened his fingertips and quietly retracted his hands that were behind his back.
The whole bath made him feel hot all over, and the air in the bedroom also became hot and sticky.
Shen Zheng washed very attentively. Just like when he had wiped Wen Zhuo's hair at Chunlai Workshop that day, he said nothing and was as careful as if he were stroking a priceless ancient porcelain, taking good care of every corner.
Wen Zhuo found it strange. Normally, Shen Zheng had a bright and cheerful personality and talked quite a bit. Occasionally, when he was in high spirits, he would casually speak in the local dialect of Nanping. But sometimes when he was calm, he seemed like a different person.
While ladling water to pour on Wen Zhuo, Shen Zheng took a soapberry and carefully wiped his hair. From time to time, he reached out to smooth the wrinkles on Wen Zhuo's undergarment, trying his best to make the clothes cover him more completely.
The warm water flowed over every inch of Wen Zhuo's skin, but he didn't feel the slightest bit of frivolity or profanity.
Yes, this was the naturalness of an ordinary man. Unlike him, who was embarrassed and in a complete mess.
After the rinse, Shen Zheng took out a clean undergarment and a middle robe from the package and handed them to Wen Zhuo. Then he turned around and tidied up the clothes that he had rummaged through just now.
After Wen Zhuo put on the clothes neatly, Shen Zheng turned around. Before Wen Zhuo could step out of the wooden basin, he simply took a step forward, picked him up by the waist, and walked back to the bed.
Water droplets dripped down Wen Zhuo's calves all the way, leaving a wobbly trail of water on the wooden floor.
With the middle robe covering him, Wen Zhuo relaxed a lot and was no longer as restrained as before.
Shen Zheng sat down on the edge of the bed, unscrewed the medicine bottle beside him, and said to Wen Zhuo, "Lie down and let me apply the medicine."
"I can do this myself—"
"Teacher, hurry up. It's very late. Do you want me to roll up your robe for you?"
This time, Shen Zheng didn't even bother to find a reason.
As soon as Wen Zhuo's fingertips touched the hem of the middle robe, Shen Zheng was already holding his ankle and bending his legs.
Wen Zhuo was greatly startled and quickly reached out to hold down the middle robe, tightly covering his private parts. In his panic, he accidentally scraped the wound, and the pain made him grit his teeth and scrunch up his face.
Shen Zheng thought to himself that the ancient little cat was too restricted by the rules of propriety and had already reached his limit by doing this.
He had no choice but to manually spread Wen Zhuo's legs a little. "If you spread them, I can just pour the medicine powder directly on. If you're like that just now, I'll have to reach in and apply it. You choose?"
"...This is fine." Wen Zhuo turned his head, wishing he could bury himself in the quilt.
His legs were already spread. If he chose the other option, wouldn't he have to experience both?
Fortunately, he was smart.
The washed wound was a light red, very obvious against the surrounding fair skin. Shen Zheng held his leg with his hand to keep him from moving. His fingertips touched the slender leg bone, and he couldn't help thinking that cats were really hard to fatten up. He could actually hold most of it in one grasp.
Wen Zhuo instinctively wanted to close his legs again. Seeing this, Shen Zheng simply gently pushed his legs apart with his elbow. Then he took the medicine powder and carefully sprinkled it on the wound.
"Ouch—" The pain suddenly hit, and Wen Zhuo gasped. His toes curled up suddenly.
Seeing this, Shen Zheng quickly gently rubbed the edge of the wound with his slightly rough fingertips. "It's okay, it's okay. Endure it for a while. It'll be over soon..."
But Wen Zhuo still couldn't relax. His body kept shrinking back, looking like he wanted to escape.
Shen Zheng had no choice but to use a little force on his leg to pull him back to the original position, and then teased, "What are you hiding for? Look, you've been pinched red."
Five bright finger marks appeared on his inner thigh, then slowly faded away.
Wen Zhuo was pulled back in a sorry state, looking a bit ashamed and annoyed.
Shen Zheng rubbed it for him. "Well, it's also cute to hide."
Wen Zhuo was surprised and forgot to be angry. His lips were slightly parted.
Shen Zheng said he was cute again.
He had said he was cute when he was shocked by the tomb - robbing incident, and also said he was cute when he fled in pain as a teacher.
Where on earth was he, a ruthless and scheming official, cute?
Your Highness had really bad taste.
Shen Zheng said, "The medicine has to be applied. How about I sing a song for teacher to distract you?"
"Hmm?" Wen Zhuo came back to his senses and cautiously stared at Shen Zheng.
He was very afraid of hearing the song "Listen to Father Emperor's Words" at this moment. He didn't want to think of Emperor Shunyuan's face at all.
"It's called 'Rice Fragrance'."
"Is it also a tune from the Music Bureau of Nanping?" Wen Zhuo asked.
Those places were full of people who flattered the emperor and had no integrity. The tunes they taught probably wouldn't be very good either.
"Sort of," Shen Zheng lowered his eyes. While applying medicine to the wound and waiting for the powder to be gradually absorbed, he started humming, "… I still remember you said home is the only vague thing. You can only keep running along the river. Don't be afraid. I know the sufferings you endured in childhood. Don't cry. Let the fireflies lead you to escape. There will always be someone who can be your eternal reliance. Your dreams must be full of wonderful things."
He hummed carelessly, with clear intonation, but his hands were still concentrating on applying the medicine, as if he just casually recalled the song and hummed it out of the spur of the moment.
