44 3.6

Instantly, the unconscious Yong Guan fell down on Qiao Chen's embrace. The dagger that pierce on his shoulder was flowing with blood. His breathing hardened as the pain becomes severe, making him flinched and twisted on Qiao Chen's arms.

Qiao Chen sat down on the ground and lay Yong Guan on his legs while pulling a small bottle on the hidden cachet. The liquid substance immediately poured down on the wounded man's lips, making his breath relaxed and the pain disappeared. His pale face also returned in color.

Seeing that the fourth was no longer experiencing intense pain and was only unconscious, Qiao Chen sighed and throw the bottle into the lake. His calm face then turned into a panic one as he screamed on the air, "Help!"

Several footsteps ran towards his direction and Qiao Chen only shake the sleeping body of Yong Guan, seemingly panic as the blood dyed on his clothes.

"Xiao Chen!" A voice thundered, and rash footstep ran into his direction. But his eyes was only stocked at the body of the wounded man, shocked and detected.

The Emperor who arrived quickly pulled Qiao Chen into his embrace, rubbing his back and calming his down, "Xiao Chen tell the Emperor what happened."he calmly coaxed.

While holding the body of Yong Guan, Qiao Chen retreated from the Emperor's embrace and stared deeply in the latter's eyes. Tears keep brimming on his cheeks and his face turned pale, "T-The prince...s-save me...h-he saved me!"

The Emperor finally look at the man on Qiao Chen's legs and quickly shouted at the Eunuch to call a doctor.

Several men lifted Yong Guan's body and hurriedly carried it back to his residence. Qiao Chen's eyes followed the men and his body was shaking unknowingly. His clothes were full of blood and even his face was tainted. Sweats consistently prickles on his pores mixed with tears creating a very pitiful countenance.

The Emperor take off his cloak and encircled it into Qiao Chen body, almost half carrying him into his arms while consistently coaxing, "It will be alright. This Emperor will protect you."

"T-There...were an assassin...luckily t-this subject encounter the fourth prince and save me just in time."his lips trembled while explaining.

The Emperor's face completely turned deadly and his body released a murderous air, "Quickly! Find the traces of the assassin who dare make a moved on my sparrow!"he roared.

Instantly, some train men ran towards in a different location, leaving the two of them with their few servants.

Qiao Chen tilted his head on the big cloak and buried his face on the Emperor's large chest, "Y-Your majesty! You need to save the fourth prince! I owed him my life!"

"Yes. I will do what Xiao Chen wants."his face softened and wiped the small traces of years on his eyes, then his gaze drifted to the kneeling servants, the affectionate sight was no longer visible and only deadly glare, "You servants dare to leave your young master alone. Are you courting death?"

The servants subconsciously kneeled more, making their face pushed on the ground. Nervousness aroused in each of their hearts while feeling the intense gaze of the Emperor. Some guards were already pointing their sharp swords towards them and was waiting for the Emperor's command.

Hearing the angry voice of the Emperor, Qiao Chen lifted his head and peek at the side profile of the latter, gently uttered, "Your majesty, my servants had no fault in this matter. Is it my command to let my servants dismissed."

Then a pair of dark eyes stared at him, "Why would Qiao Chen roamed in this area alone? Unguarded? And even at a time like this?"

His voice was casual and firm, but Qiao Chen already knew that they held a suspicion on his tone. One wrong words can make the Emperor found out what really happened this night.

He lowered his eyes, seemingly shy and bashful, while his finger unintentionally clenched on the surface of the Emperor's robe, "This...subject wants to pick up some plum blossom flowers... I want to give it to his majesty."his lips only parted a little, releasing a faint yet coquettish sound. It was very soothing and seductive, making the Emperor's eyes locked on him.

Qiao Chen's transparent eyes with a little touch of green was shining in one's visible eyes under the mercy of the lifeless light, giving a very persuasive look and arousing one's sexual desire.

A wave of lust appeared on the Emperor's eyes, "Why does Xiao Cheng want to give this Emperor some flowers?"

Qiao Chen once again buried his face on the other's chest, his pale cheeks flushed. The usual elegance and gracefulness in his whole demeanor was no longer been found, and instead was replaced by a pampered and spoiled rotten kind of young man. This kind of new charm made the Emperor's heart melted, while his hands was rubbing the juvenile's dark hair.

Qiao Chen who was not willing to look at him still answered in a low and faint voice, "T-The Emperor has found another sparrow...it was a beautiful one and even a prince. I-I'm afraid the Emperor can no longer accompany this subject, that's why t-this subject was planning to give the Emperor a flower, so that the Emperor will always remember this subject."

The Emperor's heart was filled with restrained desire and joy as it concluded that the youth was very lovely today. His unusual dependency was an immense pleasure on his heart.

He again brushed the smooth hair of the latter using only his finger and sweetly whispered, "This Emperor will only treasure Xiao Chen. There were no one good enough that can compare to Xiao Chen."

Qiao Chen was finally willing to look at him and responded, "Really?"

The Emperor nodded and placed a soft kiss on his forehead, "This Emperor will forever love Xiao Chen."

Qiao Chen's cheeks flushed and did not respond anymore. The Emperor was carrying him in his arms while his head was only buried on his chest. An affectionate smile was plastered on his pale face, but underneath those countenance an abhorrence was deeply engraved on his heart. Thinking of many ways on how to kill the man.

The Emperor carried him all the way back to his residence and even summon an imperial physician to check if they were a mental trauma left on him. Gladly, there was none.

Qiao Chen took a bathe and changes into a new set of clothes.

He lay down on the bed and stared calmly on the Emperor who were still at his place, "The night is already late. The Emperor need to take care of his body. The Emperor need to sleep."

The Emperor smile and nodded, "This Emperor will take his leave."

"His majesty..."Qiao Chen called softly, "Is it possible for this subject to give a visit in the fourth prince's place? This subject will only give his thanks."

The Emperor paused and stared deeply at Qiao Chen face. He then turned his head on the servants currently on duty and said a few words before finally responded to Qiao Chen, "This Emperor accepted your request. Now, go to sleep."

"I thank his majesty."

Once the Emperor left, Qiao Chen's flushed face turned cold and lifeless. He wiped his forehead several times, apparently removing the invisible kiss left by the Emperor. His chilly yet fierce countenance deeply emerge.

Thinking about the affectionate gaze of the Emperor, he suddenly felt an urge to vomit. He frowned and quickly lay down on the bed to sleep.

Three days has passed when the news that the fourth prince has already woken up reached Qiao Chen.

He hurriedly changes into a new set of clothes and quickly headed to the fourth prince's residence.

Unlike the sparrow's houses, the princes' house was very inferior compared to the latter. It is located on the east side of the palace and did not have any good qualifications of a better background. The design was plain and boring, unlike the west side where it is lively and beautiful.

The Eunuch on duty guided Qiao Chen to Yong Guan's room.

Just like he expected, a very common regular room greeted his eyes. It was a very plain and simple room that was not suitable for a prince living there. There was a frown on his eyes, but he did not pay attention to it anymore and entered the room.

His servants had increased due to the worry of the Emperor, but Qiao Chen left them outside.

Once he entered, a rich smell of medicine aroma beside the violet incense burner coiled that twisted around a faintly smoking incense deeply penetrated his nose. On the common looking bed, a man on peacefully sitting with his naked upper body covered with bandage calmly sharpened his sword. His wheat like skin stood sharply against the glaring sun coming from the open window on the side. His sharp face was to focus on sharpening the dagger and completely ignored the few sentences of the current doctor.

Qiao Chen was startled for a short time before he regained his calmness and slowly approached the ignorant man. The doctor present helplessly sighed and bowed to Qiao Chen before finally leaving the two of them.

Qiao Chen displayed his tranquil face and greeted casually, "I greet his highness the fourth prince."

Yong Guan's eyes swiftly bore into his body. His gaze was too ferocious that possess many violent air. The sword beneath his palms was put down on the edge of the bed, while his eyes only stayed at Qiao Chen moderately staring at his face.

Thus, Qiao Chen sighed, "I'm sorry...it was not my intention to harm you."

"Not your intention?"Yong Guan let out a scary laughed and exhibit a dangerous face in front of him, "If I kill you and say that it was also not my intention. How do you feel?"

Qiao Chen was not affected by this pressure and only casually smile, "That's why I said it was not my intention. You can always avenge at me."

Yong Guan frowned and look away.

Hurting the young man in front of him was too easy as this sparrow did not even possess muscles. But the thought of hurting him, made Yong Guan's chest suffered a deep pain. He can't bear to hurt the youth. Even a single scratch. He can't do it.

His brow furrowed, and his eyes released a fierce air. Why does he think like that? He only met the youth twice and even caused him too much pain.

Noticing the silence of the prince, Qiao Chen sat down beside him and put a small bottle in front, "This is a painkiller. Drink this and the pain you experience will disappear."

Yong Guan looked at the bottle on his front. His mind was still clouded in different thoughts and conclusion. His hand hesitantly pick the bottle and review the contents inside it.

His eyes firmly locked on the latter, asking coldly, "Why do you want to dethrone the Emperor? Your life in the palace was very good, and you don't experience suffering."

A spark of strong intense burst out on the youth's eyes, his lips parted revealing a strong breath, calmly answered, "Good? You sure knew how to joke around, your highness."his voice was very elegant as it harbors too many thoughts and emotion, "I become a sparrow not because I want too. And the life of being a sparrow was not easy to begin with. And my reason for dragging the Emperor down will remain a secret. But just I said, I want your cooperation...and I will make you the next Emperor."

"I did not dream of being an Emperor."

"It is not your dream for now...but days, weeks or maybe months...you will know that this is the right choice you will have in your whole life."

Yong Guan gritted his teeth and moves unconsciously closer to the youth, "Why are you sure about that?"

"You encounter the life outside the palace, and you knew how common people live there. They don't live any more just like in the past...they worked now not because they want to...but because it was required. The taxes...the laws…and the hardship will be common in one of these days." A deep colored of green appeared on Qiao Chen's eyes. His expression was serious and firm as he continued, "The fire will occurred on the north. Floods and typhoons will appeared in the south, killings and murdering are only common in either east or west. The Emperor will only watch how each individual will face this crisis. And you...your highness…will regret the decision you made in the future."

While speaking, Yong Guan's heart was beating miserably. Every word, phrases spoken by the youth was deeply engraved in each of his bones and skins. He was blinded by this light, making him surrender willingly.

A severe obsession was building in his heart.

He wants him. He wants his attention. Everything about him should be his. And his alone.

Qiao Chen was mo aware of the other's thought and only smiled faintly, "The incident three days ago was not my intention to begin with. It was my planned."he then watched the expression of the prince, when he noticed that he was still silent, he continued, "I deceived his majesty from explaining that, you, a lowly prince has saved an Emperor's sparrow and this will be an opportunity for us to meet, as I, myself will regard you as my savior. The Emperor won't be suspicious about our encounter."

"However, I did not remember I accepted the deal." Yong Guan interrupted while staring deeply at the latter's face. A new sensation was keeping engaging in his heart.

"You are an upright prince and I know that you will choose to become the next Emperor to save common people—"

"You are wrong..." Yong Guan smiled darkly, his usual arrogant face was no longer had that kind of expression, this time...it was a change of temperament, "I don't want to become an Emperor just because of that reason..."

Qiao Chen was confused, but he still did not speak and waited for the prince to clarify his words.

Yong Guan released a soft smile that was not considered a smile. His tenderness was no longer been found and was replaced by a foreign ambience. His upper body was bare, and Qiao Chen could clearly saw the streaks of knife, he drew on his body. The skin surrounding the scars was split in both two sides that was not covered properly by the bandage.

Yong Guan leaned closer into him and caressed his hair, locking his gaze, "However...I will accept the deal and...the cooperation."

I will become the Emperor.

And you will become my one....and only sparrow.