Chapter 60 | The Return

Note: This chapter contains depictions of major sexual content.

Without taking out his member from inside, Qi Xutian hugged Qi Mingyue and dropped a few soft kisses in pity, "Did I hurt you? After we return to the bedchamber, it would be better to apply some Baifu. It was your first time, I shouldn't have been so excessive."

Qi Mingyue leaned into his arms, panting, and shook his head at his words, "I'm not that weak. You're worrying too much." While holding onto his shoulders, he slowly lifted himself, and as the two gradually separated from where they were connected, the viscous semen slipped out of his buttocks and slid along the side of his leg. After reaching out to wipe it, Qi Xutian looked at the faint trace of blood in his hand and frowned. His face instantly sank.

Qi Mingyue looked at the light red stain on his hand; he naturally knew that no matter how careful one may be, it will always be difficult the first time. Although he did not feel any pain, he was indeed a little injured, and judging by the look on Father's face, he was probably blaming himself again. "It's just a little blood; it will heal in a while. Father Emperor can just carry me back."

"You might not feel much pain, but I feel distressed." After asking him to soak in the spring, he encircled Qi Mingyue with an arm and carefully inserted his fingers into the hole where the traces of their passion remained. The tight and fiery hot walls were twitching slightly while encasing his fingertips; it was an indescribable temptation. However, Qi Xutian frowned and became even more careful as he gently cleaned the viscous white fluid inside.

Qi Mingyue lay in his arms, feeling his father's care and consideration towards him, and then he thought about their lingering entanglement before. His heart was swept by a feeling that he had never felt before, so soft and warm. He stretched out his arms and hugged him tightly. Qi Xutian didn't say a word, but his movements carried a sense of tenderness that even he hadn't noticed.

With a smile on his face because of his little movements, Qi Xutian's hands continued to work as his eyes overflowed with tenderness. His heart filled with joy not only because of having gotten what he'd always wanted but also because of what MingEr had admitted before. His (QX) subconscious actions revealed his emotions as he felt a deep sense of fulfilment.

After tidying up the mess below, Qi Xutian stood up, picked up the robe that he taken off before and casually put it on. Retrieving his outer robe, he leaned over and kissed Qi Mingyue's lips, "It's cold, you should put on my robe to avoid freezing."

"If you give it to me, won't you be cold?" He raised a brow at Qi Xutian with his eyes full of disapproval. The heat from the hot spring lingered here, so he didn't feel cold, but beyond this place, it was snowing on a winter night. The temperature difference would be too significant, and even if one had internal strength, it was possible to catch a cold easily.

"Is MingEr feeling distressed for me?" Qi Xutian stood on the side, watching the young man in the water stand up. Under the moonlight, the water droplets sliding down his pale white skin, giving him a captivating glow. It was a tantalizing sight. Qi Xutian stared at his approaching figure with scorching eyes as his lips raised into a smile at his words, his face was full of joy.

"Shouldn't I feel distressed for you?" Qi Mingyue looked directly into his eyes with a smile, wore his inner robe with his body still naked underneath, and approached Qi Xutian barefoot.

Qi Xutian suddenly hugged him into his arms, and the smile on his lips never waned. He put his outer robe on the both of them and lightly pecked Qi Mingyue's face, "Then MingEr can rest assured. I will carry you back to the bedchamber; that way, no one will freeze."

Qi Mingyue chuckled lightly, leaned into his arms, and wrapped his arms around Qi Xutian's waist. He suddenly saw a shiny object lying among the moonflowers behind him (QX), "There's something you seem to have forgotten to take."

The light golden mask shone in the moonlight, and the delicate patterns on it glowed faintly. It appeared as if someone was staring coldly, waiting for an opportunity to strike whilst arrogantly incorporating their entire body into the intricately entwined patterns stealthily.

While holding Qi Mingyue, Qi Xutian looked at the mask lying on the ground lightly and picked it up, "Something I haven't used in a long time."

"Could this be something Father used to roam Jianghu with before ascending the throne?" Upon seeing him store the mask casually, Qi Mingyue remembered what he saw in the Liufang Pavilion. Father Emperor was dressed in white with his hair loose, messy, and wild, and half of his face was covered by a mask. He exuded a mysterious bloodcurdling aura. He must have been a man to fear in Jianghu back then. Qi Mingyue wondered what name he went by; it was pretty interesting to think about.

"It was just a fun little pastime when I was bored." Qi Xutian didn't seem to want to talk about it anymore. He hugged Qi Mingyue in his arms and went out of the woods in no time.

When they returned to the Xuantian Palace, Hong Qui and Ying Ran, who had been anxiously waiting for a long time, saw His Majesty return while holding His Highness Mingyue in dishevelled clothes in his arms. How could they not understand what had happened between them? Both of them blushed immediately. When they got busy preparing clothes for bathing, Qi Xutian shook his head to stop him, "You don't need to serve us, leave."

Qi Mingyue poked his head out and looked towards them with a faint smile and waved his hand to indicate that they didn't need to worry. Then, he snuggled into Qi Xutian's arms with an exceedingly languid appearance.

Hong Qui and Ying Ran had to bow and retreat. When they turned their heads, they saw the both of them walking into the bedchamber. Seeing this, both of them looked at each other with a bit of joy in their hearts.

His Highness finally returned to the palace, and His Majesty also got what he wanted. So, the Third Prince shouldn't be favoured again?

As they had returned to the palace earlier than His Highness, naturally, they already knew what was going on in the palace. Now, no one mentioned the Second Royal Highness. They only know that the Third Prince was favoured, and he was the most likely candidate for the position of Crown Prince. Each of the concubines had been trying to get close to him, and it could be said that there was not a single person who hadn't tried to curry favour with him.

It wasn't like when His Highness Mingyue was young and rarely appeared in front of everyone. The Third Prince, Qi Lianshuo, had been running rampant in the palace because of His Majesty's favour. It was said that at a young age, he had already secretly accepted several men and women as playthings. In addition to this, he was also very arrogant about his literary talent. He often snuck out of the palace to fool around with people in the brothel all day long, trying to please the most famous courtesan surnamed Ji. Although his behaviour was no different from the usual spoiled rich man, there was no major fault, but he was a prince, and yet he was so ignorant of self-discipline. However, His Majesty still continued to indulge him. It had to be said that such unreserved pampering was incomprehensible.

They wondered what kind of expressions the ministers would show when they see His Royal Highness' return. The Third Prince would surely be very upset. It made them feel delighted and relieved to think about it. Hong Qui held Ying Ran's sleeve and chuckled gleefully; she was looking forward to seeing the expressions of everyone in the palace.

In the bedchamber, Qi Mingyue lay on the familiar dragon bed. The warm breathing and faint cold fragrance beside him made him feel at ease. Leaning into Qi Xutian's arms, he slowly let out a sigh of relief and closed his eyes.

He was exhausted after the intense sexual affair and wanted to drift off to sleep, but the strange thing was that his head was very clear, and all sorts of thoughts swept through his mind. He remembered that Wu Yao had disappeared since the Liufang Pavilion and was nowhere to be found. At the same time, he remembered that Yan Qing somehow managed to lure him into a meeting for some unknown reason; he wondered why he (YQ) knew about Tianyin, and when he (YQ) saw Father, why did he call him 'Lord'?

Father Emperor roamed the Jianghu back then; he must have certainly not been alone. Presumably, Yan Qing was one of his followers. The name 'Lord' and his attitude of reverence and fear made him guess what kind of methods Father had used back then. All these years later, Jiang Yao still controlled the Obsidian Night. Even though Father was in the imperial court, he might know everything going on in the Jianghu.

Also, this time he returned unexpectedly and appeared in the palace with his father; his presence undoubtedly would cause a storm in the palace again. His Third Imperial Brother, Qi Lianshuo, as the son of Concubine Xiao sent by AnYang, was favoured by his father. Qi Mingyue could naturally guess the purpose of this favour.

"Would it be alright for you to accompany me to morning court tomorrow?" Realizing that he is not asleep, Qi Xutian caressed his hair and asked softly as a cold smile appeared in his eyes while thinking about the expressions some people would have.

"Such a poor child," Knowing the meaning of his father's words and thinking of seeing Qi Lianshuo tomorrow, Qi Mingyue slightly hooked his lips. There is no pity in his words; instead, he looked cold and indifferent. As far as he was concerned, although Qi Lianshuo was his younger imperial brother, he was nothing compared to the safety of his father and CangHe. Even if he were sacrificed as a pawn, he would not have the slightest pity or sympathy.

When Qi Xutian heard him say this, he let out a chuckle, "MingEr truly has a connection with me. Even before I said anything, you already guessed what I intend to do by favouring him. It seems that you will sit on the throne in the future. I don't have to worry about you not being able to stabilise the throne."

"You want to make me the Crown Prince?" Qi Mingyue instantly lost all drowsiness and frowned at the thought of this troublesome identity.

Qi Xutian hugged him and nodded, "Fifteen is the age of maturity, and the coming of age ceremony must be held. All the princes who have come of age must leave the imperial palace and manage the fiefdoms given to them on their own. Except for the Crown Prince, no adult son is allowed to stay in the imperial palace. If you don't become the Crown Prince, how can you stay with me? Besides, I also believe in your ability; you are the most suitable candidate."

He had long intended to do so, albeit selfishly. But in every sense of the word, MingEr was the best candidate for the position of Crown Prince.

Hearing what he said, Qi Mingyue closed his eyes with a sigh, "It seems that for your sake, I have to be the Crown Prince." Since it was for Father, no matter how troublesome the position of Crown Prince was, he had to take it. He thought of how, after becoming the Crown Prince, he would be able to share Father's worries and felt it was a good thing when he thought of it this way.

After receiving his answer, Qi Xutian kissed him lightly on the lips with satisfaction and sighed as he covered the both of them with the brocade covers, "MingEr, hurry up and go to sleep. There will be a good show tomorrow."

His voice tinged with a smile sounded in Qi Mingyue's ears. He nodded, quietened down in the familiar embrace and let the drowsiness lull him to sleep.

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