Chapter 30 – Isn’t It Just A Stupid Rabbit?

By the time You Shu woke up, it had already been three days [since the incident].

Because of the assassination attempt on the emperor, all events scheduled for the spring hunt were suspended. But, Xiao Weishen was not in any hurry to return to the capital. He couldn’t let go of his anger [at such a daring act]. Every single one of the dozen assassins had been killed at this moment¹killed in the fight earlier, not by his order, leaving no one alive to extract a confession from. He ordered for the entire mountain to be searched overnight, so that the remaining accomplices could be captured.

But You Shu only remembered the events that had occurred until he had closed his eyes and had no idea how long he had been asleep.

However, it felt good to be alive. He knew that the protagonist would not simply abandon him [to his fate].

Although the wound in his chest was still painful, it was still bearable. But his mouth felt a little dry. You Shu continued to lie down for some time [waiting for someone] but then decided to get up and get some water by himself. How could a shadow guard [like him] have the qualifications to wait for others’ service and order others around? As long as he was alive, he had to pick himself up and take care of himself.

Just as he was about to get up, Luo Yao, who had been standing with her back to him, turned around [and saw him]. She ran to the bedside with a surprised face, then, after confirming that he was awake, ran out happily. She was so delighted that she didn’t even remember to give him some water.

You Shu was dazed for a while, then he sat up with difficulty. He gathered all his strength to shakily stand up from the bed and walked forward carefully, holding on to the bed rail. His feet felt as weak as cotton.

Xiao Weixin was reading in his tent. When he heard that [You Shu] was awake, he hurriedly brought Hua Chun over to inspect [his wound]. As soon as he pulled the curtain open, he saw You Shu holding on to the table and drinking from the jug.

“Who let you get up?” Xiao Weixin walked to the table in two long strides and snatched the jug from his hands. He pulled him back to the bed then stuffed him into the quilt, looking dissatisfied.

You Shu had barely drank one sip to moisten his throat, but before he could drink any more, he was forcibly put back into bed. When he looked up again, he saw Xiao Weixin standing in front of him. He was about to habitually get up to greet him  as a habit, but Xiao Weixin fiercely pushed him back down: “Lie down obediently for me!”

After that, he asked Hua Chun to examine him.

Hua Chun skillfully removed You Shu’s robes to check his wound. You Shu had never had a girl stare so closely at his chest in his whole life, and was completely at a loss.

“He is recovering very well, Your Highness.” Hua Chun said softly, “As long as he rests for a few days, there won’t be any sequelae.”

Maybe all young men are born in the year of the Ox²Year of the Ox is the second year of 12-year cycle, just as ox is the second animal of the Chinese zodiac. It represents diligence, perseverance, honesty, down-to-earth persistence, and hard work. It is often associated with characteristics such as reliability, stability, and patience. The ox represents a strong work ethic and the ability to endure challenges.. Even though You Shu seemed to be seriously injured now, he felt that as long as he had enough to eat, he would still have the strength to run ten miles. This little injury meant nothing.

Xiao Weixin felt a little relieved after hearing her words, “Then go and boil the medicine and bring it over.”

After Hua Chun went out, Xiao Weixin noticed his pale, dry lips. So, the prince, who had never waited on anyone, got up without a second thought to get a cup of water from the jug on the table, and gave it [to You Shu]: “Drink.”

You Shu’s hair stood on end. If not for the fact that he didn’t dare to look directly at the person in front of him, he might have drilled holes into his face by staring.

Could it be that the male protagonist had been possessed by someone???

Brother, who are you???

Is this the cold-faced and arrogant prince of our family???

“Th-this, this subordinate, will do it himself.” You Shu stammered and raised his hand to take the cup but was ruthlessly pushed back by Xiao Weixin once again.

Xiao Weixin had never served anyone in his life and felt a little awkward. Seeing that the little shadow guard didn’t understand his current condition and wanted to get up on his own, he pushed the person back down into the cushions and sat down unhappily, and arrogantly held the cup near his mouth. Anyone who didn’t know would have thought that he was taunting his enemy: “Drink.”

You Shu felt his stubbornness and had no choice but to open his mouth.

Although his intentions were good, Xiao Weixin really had no talent in taking care of people. He thought it was just feeding a cup of water. What was so difficult about that? But, because he didn’t manage to control his strength properly, most of the water spilled onto the quilt. Instead of helping, he only made the situation worse.

Seeing the visible embarrassment on Xiao Weixin’s face, You Shu hurriedly comforted him: “It’s okay. This subordinate already drank.”

Xiao Weixin was silent for a while, then stood up and poured another cup of water. This time, he remembered to take a spoon. He was very stubborn and wanted to continue feeding him. Who knew what was going on in his head³What You Shu actually said would be ‘Don’t know which screw is loose today’. I felt like that would be an abrupt change from respectful to disrespectful bcz it doesn’t feel like what You Shu would say about Xiao Weixin so I didn’t keep it. It’s still funny tho lmao.?

You Shu didn’t understand why his attitude changed so much. Hadn’t he been avoiding him just two days ago?

Could it be that he had suddenly changed his attitude because he thought he had saved him?

Xiao Weixin had learned from his first failed attempt. When he picked up the spoon again, his movements were much gentler. He paid careful attention and did not spill any more water. After You Shu drank a large bowl of water, his lips finally regained some color.

“Thank you, my lord.” You Shu said quickly, “This subordinate is not thirsty anymore.”

Xiao Weixin looked down at the empty cup in his hand rather regretfully and put it back.

In fact, he had been observing the little shadow guard just now when he lowered his head to drink water, and his eyes had unconsciously wandered to his lips. He has only now discovered that it is not only the little shadow guard’s face that is charming, his lips are also bewitching.

Xiao Weixin didn’t know what other people’s lips were like, but the little shadow guard’s lips were perfect, not too full and not too thin. Right now, they were soft and slightly shiny because of the water he had just drank, and had a faintly pink hue because of his injury. He couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like to cover those lips with his own.

But these were just thoughts. He was not so beastly as to do something roguish to an injured patient.

While You Shu was unconscious, Xiao Weixin experienced a severe struggle [between his rationality and his emotions], and finally gave in to his emotions. For the first time, he knew that the emotional indifference and lack of [sexual] desire that had defined him for more than twenty years of his life was nothing more than a lie. Spending time with the little shadow guard every day, the urge in his heart to embrace⁴Ahem… it’s not limited to ’embrace’, but the other part is more implied so I am just keeping it at this. him only grew stronger and fiercer.

He desperately wants this person.

Although he didn’t understand why he had such a strong desire for him, Xiao Weixin couldn’t resist his emotions and simply threw away those restraints. Life is only a one-time journey, and it is better to do some things according to your own wish. He is confident that he will never delay his plans and ambitions simply because of love.

But Xiao Weixin is really not a romantic person. He is good at strategizing and planning, but when it comes to love, he is a blank slate. When faced with You Shu, he doesn’t know what to say and how to say it.

He had carefully thought about it and determined that what he wanted was a real person who could stand side by side with him and share his worries, not just a plaything on the bed. But the little shadow guard is obviously a person who doesn’t understand love, just like him. If he uses too strong methods, he may end up pushing him away.

Xiao Weixin sighed silently, feeling that trying to capture the heart of his beloved is even more difficult than taking revenge.

You Shu didn’t know what the cold-faced man in front of him was thinking. He felt that he might be used to being a lowly servant, and he was not used to being treated so gently by the prince at first.

But looking at it this way, it seems that the relationship between him and the protagonist…has grown closer?

This trip [to the spring hunt] was indeed not in vain.

The next day, after he woke up, he wanted to go out for a walk. He ate some porridge at noon and felt that his health was much better. He became restless and wanted to go for a walk. Xie Feiyuan also came to see him after learning about his injury. He was a little worried at first, but when he saw his lively and energetic appearance, he instantly felt relieved.

Only Xiao Weixin didn’t allow him to go out. “You’ve only rested for two days and you already want to exert yourself? Go back [and lie down].”

You Shu felt that his prince was a bit inexperienced in worldly affairs, “This subordinate’s injury is really not that serious. It’s not like this is the first time receiving an injury. This subordinate has suffered worse injuries before and recovered enough to go out in only a few days, at most. It’s not inconvenient at all.”

Resting to recuperate from injuries is not something that a shadow guard should do. Everyone lives like this so there’s no need to exaggerate [his injury] and act pretentiously.

Xiao Weixin’s face looked very ugly, and he gradually remembered his identity. He was right next to Hua Chun when he was treating his wound two days ago. He could also see that the wound was dangerous, but he didn’t expect that the little shadow guard wouldn’t even take it seriously.

Of course he knows the significance of the existence of the Shadow Guards. In fact, he is not the only one. Very few people in this world can regard the Shadow Guards as individuals. In the eyes of superiors like them, the Shadow Guards are just a group of tools that can be sent to sacrifice at any time. There is no deep master-servant relationship.

But the little shadow guard is different.

Xiao Weixin kept him in the tent and sternly told him not to move around. You Shu didn’t dare to disobey so he had to stay on the bed.  He didn’t know what kind of magical medicine Hua Chun gave him but the wound on his chest healed very quickly. He felt that the wound was extremely itchy. It was the sensory stimulation caused by the healing of the rapidly growing tender flesh. He couldn’t scratch it so he couldn’t help but long for some kind of distraction.

Probably because the longing in his eyes was too obvious, Xiao Weixin, who was sitting on the side, irritably put aside his book: “Isn’t it just not being able to go outside? Must you look so lifeless? ”

In fact, You Shu did not feel any dissatisfaction, but Xiao Weixin caught the disappointment in his eyes when he occasionally looked towards the door of the tent. Just now, he was thinking about how to court him, but in the blink of an eye, he saw You Shu’s eyes, and he felt frustrated. .

It seems that even being gentle requires one to learn. Not everyone can be gentle.

After You Shu received permission to go out for a short walk, his eyes filled with joy and he lifted the quilt and got out of bed. Strangely enough, his physical condition was much better than that of others. After barely two days of bed rest, he had recovered enough to be able to walk around. Although his steps were still a little shaky, he was no longer as weak as he was on the first day.

Xiao Weixin was also amazed and secretly thought that his recovery rate was indeed amazing. Feeling assured [of his recovery], he was a bit more at ease with letting him go out.

After You Shu came out of the tent, he didn’t go far. He just walked around the nearby hills. Xiao Weixin walked side by side with him, in companionable silence.

You Shu himself is not a talkative person, not to mention that he is not qualified to converse casually with Xiao Weixin. Even while walking, he had to be careful to avoid bumping into Xiao Weixin beside him. The two of them kept walking and [into the forest] and unknowingly ended up in an area with few people.

You Shu stopped in front of a large bush of flowers. He was a science student in his previous life and couldn’t think of anything poetic to say, so he just admired the flowers in silence.

You Shu saw two familiar figures standing a short distance away, one in pink and the other in red.

It was the heroine and the second female lead.

Ah!?

You Shu’s eyes widened in excitement and he quickly turned to look at Xiao Weixin.

Look! There’s your future wife and your future confidante!

Xiao Weixin also noticed the two people, but he just frowned, without any particular reaction.

Despite the slight distance, You Shu could still hear the conversation between the two people.

“Sister Yang, do you really want to give this little rabbit to me?” Xia Yinxiu’s voice was soft and quiet, hiding a hint of secret joy.

“Yes.” Yang Nanruo’s voice sounded much sharper and clearer in comparison, “I promised you [to get you a rabbit] and I never break my promise.”

Xia Yinxiu looked like a maiden in bloom as she held the little rabbit, her small face flushed with mixed surprise and shyness. On the other hand, Yang Nanruo’s eyes were full of indulgence and doting as if she could see only her.

You Shu: “…”

He directed a deathly stare at the little rabbit that was supposed to be given to Xiao Weixin but was now in Xia Yinxiu’s arms and felt his brain shut down, unable to process this situation. Do [any of] you even have any intentions to fix this plot??

Because of his agitation, You Shu accidentally pulled his wound and, coincidentally, coughed up blood just as the wind blew.

Xiao Weixin was startled and quickly moved to support him.

He was also very unhappy. Obviously, he knew that the little shadow guard was not looking at those two women, but…

Isn’t it just a stupid rabbit?

[Is it important enough to make him] So anxious?

T/N: Sooo… Hi ┬┴┬┴┤･ω･)ﾉ…. I know I said December but we were informed on the last mid that our final lab for this semester was actually a project for a database application and it had to be fully functional AND look good AND was an individual project AND we only had 18 days. So haha. And after that we were told that apparently our semester would be over by mid-Jan and finals would be less than a week after that so again haha. Anyways, finals finished yesterday and I caught up on some well-deserved sleep and translated this. The next two are also half-translated but I am sleepy again so I will put them up after editing tomorrow. I do apologize for delaying so long but I genuinely did not have any time. I will make it up to you guys in this semester break <3<3<3

• 1
  killed in the fight earlier, not by his order ↩︎
• 2
  Year of the Ox is the second year of 12-year cycle, just as ox is the second animal of the Chinese zodiac. It represents diligence, perseverance, honesty, down-to-earth persistence, and hard work. It is often associated with characteristics such as reliability, stability, and patience. The ox represents a strong work ethic and the ability to endure challenges. ↩︎
• 3
  What You Shu actually said would be ‘Don’t know which screw is loose today’. I felt like that would be an abrupt change from respectful to disrespectful bcz it doesn’t feel like what You Shu would say about Xiao Weixin so I didn’t keep it. It’s still funny tho lmao. ↩︎
• 4
  Ahem… it’s not limited to ’embrace’, but the other part is more implied so I am just keeping it at this. ↩︎