BLPSG Chapter 94: Push his luck

Wen Qingci’s voice was carried away by the night wind.

Along with the crisp chime of the frightened-bird bell under the eaves, it fell straight into Xie Bufeng’s heart.

…Qingci was willing to stay here?

Xie Bufeng had grown used to being abandoned.

Yet at the very moment he had stopped hoping, Wen Qingci… gently held his hand.

In that instant, the thin layer of frost over those amber eyes suddenly shattered.

His long‑numb heart began to beat again.

The calm composure he usually wore fell away.

Right now, Xie Bufeng’s eyes even held a trace of confusion.

He stood there, like a child who didn’t know what to do.

He even forgot to keep holding Wen Qingci in his arms.

Another gust of night wind blew past, and Wen Qingci couldn’t help coughing softly twice.

He patted the back of Xie Bufeng’s hand and said gently, “Your Majesty, let’s go.”

Before Xie Bufeng could react, Wen Qingci slowly turned around, picked up the lantern placed beneath the eaves, and bent down to light it, heading toward the back courtyard.

The faint flame rose beneath his hand.

Like a fallen star resting in his palm.

Seeing Xie Bufeng still standing frozen in place, Wen Qingci finally couldn’t help smiling a little. He turned and asked softly, “Your Majesty, are you not coming?”

Wen Qingci had already reached the courtyard gate.

Just as he was about to step out, footsteps sounded behind him.

Xie Bufeng hurried after him, and as they stepped out of the courtyard, he carefully took Wen Qingci’s lowered left hand into his own.

His movements were cautious, not daring to use any strength, afraid of startling the person beside him.

Wen Qingci’s fingers trembled slightly.

But this time, he did not pull away.

Instead, he slowly tightened his grip, returning Xie Bufeng’s hold.

The lantern light illuminated the long palace path of the Medical Bureau.

It lit up Xie Bufeng’s cheek, and the faint smile that had not left the corner of his lips.

 

* * *

 

After Wen Qingci’s “death,” Xie Bufeng had moved the political center of Taishu Palace into the small Medical Bureau.

The original Medical Bureau had been forced to relocate.

The new one was larger, but far less convenient than the old.

On the second day after Wen Qingci confirmed he would stay in Taishu Palace, the always stubborn and willful Xie Bufeng actually listened to him…he moved the memorials and documents out of the front courtyard, returning the space to the physicians.

After nearly two years of silence, the courtyard finally became lively again.

Eunuchs and palace maids moved in and out, carrying items back to their original places and arranging them neatly.

They no longer trembled with fear as before, barely daring to breathe.

The camphor‑pine medicine cabinets were filled to the brim.

As they stored herbs, the physicians couldn’t help glancing toward the doorway.

Their eyes held both excitement they couldn’t hide, and a faint trace of fear.

Wen Qingci had arrived.

He was standing beneath a tree, speaking softly with Yu Guanlin.

Without the veil, his elegant and ethereal face was fully revealed.

Skin long untouched by sunlight had grown paler, making his dark eyes deeper, the cinnabar mark brighter.

The faint weariness and lingering illness in his appearance only made his presence more otherworldly, as if he might ascend into immortality at any moment…

Last night, only a few dozen people were present.

But what happened spread through Taishu Palace in an instant.

Was Wen Qingci truly alive, or… resurrected?

Looking closely, many people in the Medical Bureau had dark circles under their eyes.

Clearly, they had spent the entire night thinking about this question.

And still hadn’t figured it out.

Especially the young physician who had been delivering medicine daily — he was completely out of sorts.

He never imagined that the colleague from Songxiu Prefecture was actually Wen Qingci!

While sneaking glances at him, the young physician in blue official robes nearly tripped over the threshold.

He barely regained his balance, but the item in his hands fell heavily to the ground.

Clang—

The bronze incense burner rolled down the steps.

It spun several times before finally stopping at Wen Qingci’s feet.

Dressed in moon‑white, Wen Qingci paused, then slowly bent down to pick it up.

At that moment, the young physician finally snapped out of his daze and hurried over.

“S‑sorry, Lord Wen.”

Wen Qingci gave a gentle smile and handed the incense burner back. “Why so formal?”

His warm, clear voice pulled the young physician’s thoughts back into place.

He froze for a moment, then quickly wiped his hands twice on his robe, and solemnly accepted the burner. Finally, he bowed deeply and said, “This humble official, Huo Yike, greets Lord Hanlin!”

To serve in the Medical Bureau required skill and dedication.

When he didn’t know Wen Qingci well, he had mostly felt fear.

But after spending time with him without knowing his identity, what he felt now was respect and admiration.

After a brief pause, Huo Yike took a deep breath and said in one go, head lowered, “Please don’t hold my past words against me. Everything I said before… uh, please don’t mind it. I was joking, truly, all jokes!”

His face was full of regret, and he looked like he wanted to kneel and knock his head on the ground.

He shouldn’t have brought it up…because it reminded Wen Qingci of all the rumors about him and Xie Bufeng…

For example, Huo Yike had only recently told him that after Wen Qingci “died,” Xie Bufeng had once locked himself in a room with Wen Qingci’s body for an entire night.

Huo Yike’s description had been… ambiguous.

When Wen Qingci tried to deny it, Huo Yike had insisted it was a well‑known secret in Taishu Palace.

Having grown used to hiding behind a veil, Wen Qingci’s ability to keep a straight face was not as strong as before.

A faint blush rose on his cheeks. He quickly changed the subject. “It’s fine. No need to be formal with me. If you have questions in the future, you may bring them to me as before.”

“No, no,” Huo Yike shook his head vigorously, excited. “It’s not discussion…it should be you guiding us!”

They hadn’t lowered their voices.

Hearing this, several nearby physicians hurried over.

They introduced themselves and exchanged greetings with Wen Qingci, eager to get closer.

Especially those who had gone to Lianhe — they seized the chance to speak with him.

The plague in Lianhe had been solved through corpse dissection.

As beneficiaries, they had gradually let go of their old prejudices.

The Empress Dowager’s conversation with Wen Qingci had already spread.

Knowing he would stay in the Medical Bureau, they naturally assumed he planned to take disciples.

“…Would Lord Wen be willing to take apprentices?”

“It would be a great loss if your medical knowledge had no successor!”

Yu Guanlin stroked his beard and smiled. “Indeed. Since Lord Wen has decided to stay, why not take a disciple and pass on your medical teachings?”

The others nodded immediately.

Wen Qingci smiled faintly and let his gaze sweep across the crowd.

The Medical Bureau had strict ranks…everyone present today was at least a seventh‑rank physician.

Ninety percent of them were older than Wen Qingci.

Being stared at with such reverence made him a little uncomfortable…

He looked to the side.

After a pause, he said, “I have no intention of taking disciples.”

 

“This…”

Not taking disciples?

The smiles on the surrounding faces suddenly froze.

Even Yu Guanlin couldn’t help giving Wen Qingci a slightly puzzled look.

In this era, medicine…like all crafts…was passed down through a master‑apprentice system.

After formally becoming a disciple, the master would teach everything personally, hand‑to‑hand.

But to Wen Qingci… this system was too closed‑off and fragile.

The Divine Medicine Valley, by contrast, used a private‑academy style of teaching.

If one wanted medical knowledge to spread widely, that was the best method.

Wen Qingci slowly smiled and said softly, “To be honest, I plan to open a school here in the Medical Bureau.”

“Open a school!” Huo Yike couldn’t help repeating his words.

A second later, he realized he shouldn’t speak to Wen Qingci in that tone.

Fortunately, Wen Qingci didn’t seem to mind.

At that moment, all the physicians around them stopped what they were doing and turned toward Wen Qingci in unison.

Their already excited hearts surged even more.

“Yes,” Wen Qingci nodded lightly. He slowly explained his plan. “Master‑apprentice transmission is too slow, too small in scale, and easily becomes stagnant. Opening a school, dividing subjects and teaching systematically, is far more effective.”

Memories of his previous life studying in medical school resurfaced clearly in his mind.

In just a few sentences, he had already sketched out the entire structure in his thoughts.

Wen Qingci’s idea did not fit tradition.

But in an instant, it ignited everyone’s passion.

After a few seconds of silence, the Medical Bureau erupted:

“Good! Good!”

“When does Lord Wen plan to begin?”

“Will the academy be set up here?”

The physicians were so enthusiastic they practically wished classes could start today.

Hearing the chatter around him, Wen Qingci suddenly realized that although he had planned everything out, he had forgotten one crucial thing — reporting it to the emperor.

The Medical Bureau was the empire’s core medical institution.

What he was proposing was, in essence, a reform.

“…This matter is not yet settled,” Wen Qingci quickly added, remembering the oversight. “I must report it to His Majesty before a decision can be made.”

“No need for such trouble.”

“No, no…this is a serious matter. His Majesty must be informed before we proceed.”

Wen Qingci said this instinctively, and only afterward realized that the voice responding to him sounded familiar…

He turned around in a daze…and saw Xie Bufeng, just returned from court, walking into the courtyard in a black dragon robe, smiling as he stood behind him.

Then, in front of all the physicians, Xie Bufeng openly removed the black embroidered robe and draped it gently over Wen Qingci’s shoulders.

“From now on, for such small matters, my beloved minister need not ask me,” Xie Bufeng said softly as he carefully straightened Wen Qingci’s collar. “Autumn is coming. Wear more layers…don’t catch a cold.”

The familiar scent of dragon‑musk wrapped around Wen Qingci.

A faint blush rose on his cheeks.

The surrounding physicians immediately looked away, gossiping internally but not daring to stare.

Only the elderly Yu Guanlin, whose legs were not very steady, overheard their wise and mighty emperor…the man who held countless lives in his hands…lowering his voice like a spoiled child to whisper:

“Since you’ve decided to open a school, then you must teach without discrimination… This past year, I’ve read through the medical texts you left behind and developed an interest in medicine. When the academy opens, I will attend as well. Would my beloved minister refuse me?”

Yu Guanlin did not hear Wen Qingci’s reply.

But after a lifetime in the Medical Bureau, he understood one thing clearly — Xie Bufeng was not interested in medicine.

He was interested in the one teaching it.

Otherwise, why had he never once come to discuss medical theory with Yu Guanlin in the past year?

Hiss… perhaps he was overthinking it.

But the way His Majesty said “my beloved minister”… sounded rather suspicious.

* * *

Although Xie Bufeng still had traces of poison left in his body, as emperor, handling state affairs was still his duty.

That afternoon, Wen Qingci reluctantly forced him to go review memorials.

After some bargaining, Xie Bufeng used the excuse “the imperial study is not yet repaired” to stay in the Medical Bureau courtyard and squeeze beside Wen Qingci to handle government work.

Meanwhile, Yu Guanlin also came to discuss the academy plans with Wen Qingci.

The wooden window was propped open with a rod.

Xie Bufeng sat at the desk reviewing memorials.

Late summer turning to early autumn…the sky high, the air cool.

Wen Qingci had a table set up in the courtyard and sat across from Yu Guanlin.

The air carried a faint scent of osmanthus.

Steam curled from the hot tea like fine threads drifting through the air.

Until a eunuch’s voice sounded from outside the courtyard, Wen Qingci finally shifted his attention.

“—His Highness Prince Heng arrives, Her Highness the Eldest Princess arrives.”

Hearing the unfamiliar titles, Wen Qingci paused before realizing the eunuch meant Xie Guanzhi and Xie Fuyin.

He stood and looked toward the courtyard entrance.

Before seeing them, he heard them.

A moment later, the sound of light footsteps pattered along the palace path.

Before Wen Qingci and Yu Guanlin could salute, Xie Fuyin appeared at the gate carrying a small basket.

Wen Qingci saw that the basket held not rabbit feed, but several peaches.

“Wen Xiansheng! I picked these — try them!”

She hopped over the threshold, lifted a peach from the basket, and held it out to him.

Then, proudly, she said, “I picked it myself! Try it, Wen Xiansheng — it’s really delicious!”

Xie Fuyin was still a child.

Wearing palace robes, she nearly tripped over a stone again.

“Careful!”

Fortunately, Wen Qingci reacted quickly. He stepped forward, gently caught her, and took the peach from her hands.

There were still droplets of water on it…freshly washed.

Children’s priorities were always different from adults’.

Wen Qingci’s return had spread across Yongdu in a single day.

Everyone wondered whether he had survived through Divine Medicine Valley’s secret arts, or whether the emperor had truly prayed for a miracle from the gods.

But Xie Fuyin only knew one thing…the Wen Xiansheng who played with her had come back.

She wasn’t frightened by nearly falling. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Wen Qingci’s neck and laughed.

“Great! Great!” Her face was full of joy. She blinked her amber eyes and said, “Wen Xiansheng, try it!”

Then she hugged him tightly again, repeating happily, “Wen Xiansheng really came back!”

Seeing her like this, Wen Qingci couldn’t help smiling.

He gently hugged her back before setting her down.

“All right. Thank you, Your Highness.” Wen Qingci obediently took a bite.

Sweet juice filled his mouth instantly.

At that moment, Xie Guanzhi entered the courtyard behind her.

The investiture ceremony was approaching, and there was much to prepare.

Just like when Xie Bufeng ascended the throne, the ceremonial robes were being arranged by the Empress Dowager.

After court, Xie Guanzhi had gone to Huixin Palace to discuss the matter with her.

When they finished, the Empress Dowager asked if he had plans.

He casually said, “I’m going to see Lord Wen,” and Xie Fuyin had followed him like a little shadow.

Unlike the excited Xie Fuyin, Xie Guanzhi’s eyes reddened the moment he stepped into the courtyard.

He sniffed and walked forward.

The confinement at the imperial temple had indeed made him more mature.

As a youth, he would have thrown a tantrum…demanding to know why Wen Qingci, if alive, had hidden from everyone under a veil.

But now, though he still didn’t know how Wen Qingci had “returned from the dead,” he vaguely understood why Wen Qingci had worn the veil.

— Wen Qingci’s identity as a “medicine person” had spread through Yongdu.

Staying here openly was dangerous.

So when he approached, the first thing Xie Guanzhi said was:

“This past year, His Majesty has dealt with many people. Now everyone in Yongdu knows your identity and His Majesty’s methods. No one will dare covet your blood again.”

Before his death‑feint, Wen Qingci hadn’t known Xie Bufeng could read the evil thoughts in people’s hearts, so he had indeed been afraid.

It was one of the reasons he had to leave Taishu Palace.

But now that he remembered everything, he no longer feared it.

After saying this, Xie Guanzhi sniffed again and said, “So… so you can stay here without worry…”

Wen Qingci paused, then slowly smiled. “All right.”

Hearing that, the always‑trying‑to‑act‑mature Xie Guanzhi stepped forward and lightly patted Wen Qingci’s shoulder, then opened his arms, wanting to hug him like Xie Fuyin had.

—In Wei Dynasty etiquette, it was normal for men to embrace after a long separation.

But before Xie Guanzhi’s hands could touch Wen Qingci, another hand landed heavily on his shoulder.

Then pushed him aside.

“…Your Majesty?!”

Xie Guanzhi froze, finally realizing Xie Bufeng was also here.

Xie Bufeng narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice, “As Prince Heng, such casual behavior is improper.”

“Huh? But…”

Xie Guanzhi wanted to say, “But isn’t Princess Fuyin even more improper?”

Before he could speak, Xie Bufeng shot him a glare sharp enough to cut.

And only then did Xie Guanzhi realize, Xie Bufeng, of all people, was lecturing someone about propriety?

What kind of logic was that?

Little Xie Fuyin, unaware of the strange tension, brightened when she saw her brother appear.

“Brother, try one too! I picked these peaches myself! They’re super sweet!”

At the same time, he grabbed a peach from the basket and held it high.

 

“Okay,” Xie Bufeng nodded in reply.

 

However, he did not take the peach from Xie Fuyin’s hand as she had expected.

 

Instead, she grasped Wen Qingci’s wrist, brought his hand to her lips, and gently bit it.

 

Xie Bufeng’s movements were extremely natural, even Xie Fuyin noticed something amiss: “Huh?”

 

Wen Qingci: “!!!”

 

At this moment, Yu Guanlin, who had been trying to keep a low profile, finally cleared his throat and asked Xie Fuyin with a smile, “Your Highness, would you be willing to give this old minister one?”

 

“Alright!” Xie Fuyin immediately realized.

 

She took a peach from the basket and handed it to Yu Guanlin.

 

Xie Guanzhi stood still the whole time, his gaze shifting between Wen Qingci and Xie Bufeng in shock.

 

At the same time, he silently recalled those rumors he had heard before but had never believed…

 

*

 

The Imperial Study was simply a common name for the place where the emperor worked.

 

In fact, it wasn’t just one room, but an entire palace.

 

Besides handling government affairs, it was also the emperor’s daily residence.

 

As night fell, Xie Bufeng once again stayed, citing the same reason that “the renovations are not yet finished.”

 

Wen Qingci, who was already used to being roommates with Xie Bufeng, didn’t think much of it.

 

Until night…

 

The bedroom door was gently pushed open.

 

With a soft creak, Wen Qingci, who was already a light sleeper, couldn’t help but frown.

 

Xie Bufeng, still damp from his shower, entered the house.

 

He did not sleep on the tatami mat outside as he usually did.

 

Instead, they paused for a few seconds, walked around the screen, and went behind it.

 

Then he slowly sat down beside Wen Qingci’s bed.

 

Hearing footsteps, Wen Qingci groggily opened his eyes.

 

“……Your Majesty?”

 

Seeing who was beside his by the faint starlight, Wen Qingci tried to get up while asking, “Is there something you need?”

 

Xie Bufeng stood with his back to the light, so his expression was not visible.

 

Wen Qingci, who was fast asleep just now, sounded muffled.

 

His gaze was somewhat lost and weary, and he appeared completely unguarded.

 

His long hair slid down from his neck.

 

It went over his shoulders and hung down to his chest.

 

Xie Bufeng did not answer Wen Qingci’s question, but suddenly leaned down and gently brushed his long hair behind Wen Qingci’s back.

 

His movements were exceptionally gentle.

 

But Wen Qingci finally sensed Xie Bufeng’s danger through the darkness of the night.

 

He fully regained consciousness.

 

At this moment, he was nestled in Xie Bufeng’s arms.

 

Through Xie Bufeng’s inner garment, Wen Qingci could not only smell the ambergris on his body, but also clearly feel his body temperature and the contours of his muscles.

 

“No need to get up.” Xie Bufeng pulled Wen Qingci into his arms.

 

Then, with unbridled abandon, he placed a kiss on the corner of his lips.

 

Xie Bufeng’s voice carried a hint of amusement: “What should I do, my beloved minister?”

 

…What? What should we do?

 

The next moment, the scenery in front of Wen Qingci suddenly changed.

 

By the time he realized what was happening, Xie Bufeng had already wrapped his arms around his waist and pulled him to lie down on the inside of the bed.

 

The starlight was blocked behind Xie Bufeng.

 

All that remained between them was each other’s presence.

 

Xie Bufeng seemed to read Wen Qingci’s doubts. He whispered in the ear of the person beside him, “I want to push my luck and share a bed with you, my beloved minister. What should I do?”

 

He held Wen Qingci in his arms, entwining him like a python.

 

At this moment, Xie Bufeng was unwilling… unwilling to sleep on the other side of the screen as usual.

 

In the darkness, breathing, heartbeat, and all other changes are magnified infinitely.

 

Xie Bufeng gazed intently at the person in his arms.

 

The faint starlight fell on Wen Qingci.

 

His skin was so white it was almost translucent.

 

A touch of cinnabar seems to invite someone to kiss it.

 

Wen Qingci’s breathing became disordered.

 

He instinctively wanted to push the other person away, but in the end he gripped Xie Bufeng’s chest fabric tightly, took a deep breath, and slowly closed his eyes.

 

Wen Qingci’s heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of his chest.

 

He slowly moved his body, making room for the other half of the pillow.

 

It seems he really intends to share a pillow with Xie Bufeng.

 

Xie Bufeng’s fingers paused involuntarily.

 

Under the starlight, Wen Qingci’s cheeks flushed slightly.

 

But the trembling eyelashes, like butterfly wings, betrayed the owner’s nervousness.

 

Wen Qingci couldn’t possibly be unaware of the phrase “sharing a bed and pillow”; he was just pretending to be stupid.

 

But Xie Bufeng showed no displeasure whatsoever.

 

On the contrary, even his eyes were overflowing with laughter.

 

Taking advantage of Wen Qingci’s indulgence, he lowered the bed curtains.

 

Wen Qingci and he were trapped in this small world.

 

Xie Bufeng’s fingers were still restless, slowly sliding down from the waist of the person in his arms.

 

The light-colored figure trembled uncontrollably.

 

Xie Bufeng seemed to be showing Wen Qingci what “taking an inch and then a mile” meant through his actions.

A note from the author:

Wen Qingci: Feigning Ignorance

Xie Bufeng: Unruly