The Sickly Beauty Substitute Called It Quits

Last chapter for this week. This is for the kofi donator <3

This time, Shen Yu was unusually gentle and proactive, while Shang Junlin's movements were also slow, to the point where everything became agonizingly slow.

At every step, Shang Junlin would ask Shen Yu about his feelings. Initially, Shen Yu enjoyed it, but after a few times, he felt overwhelmed.

"Don't bother me, don't ask me. Do whatever you want!" he finally snapped.

Like a fierce beast released from its cage, a beast was always a beast. No matter how well it pretended to behave, it couldn't change its nature.

After everything was over, Shen Yu lay limp on the soft couch, not even wanting to move a finger.

Looking up at the man tidying the couch, Shen Yu wasn't surprised to see satisfaction on his face. He squinted slightly, feeling a sense of being deceived.

Grabbing the man's clothes, he pulled him closer.

"What's wrong? Ah Yu isn't feeling well?" Shang Junlin asked, noticing the tension in Shen Yu's eyes. Shen Yu slowly let go of him. Forget it, he had made his own choice, and he couldn't blame others.

Shang Junlin called for hot water and carefully cleaned Shen Yu, then helped him change into clean clothes. The soiled clothes were taken away by palace servants, and the bedding on the soft couch was also replaced.

Once cleaned up, Shen Yu was carried to bed by Shang Junlin, who held him gently, asking softly, "Does Ah Yu want to eat?"

Shen Yu silently calculated the time. "No need."

It was already past Shen Yu's usual bedtime. He lay for a while and found he couldn't sleep well. He turned to look at Shang Junlin.

"Your Majesty isn't sleeping either?"

Under the covers, Shang Junlin's hand circled Shen Yu's waist. Shen Yu had grown accustomed to sleeping embraced by him and found it uncomfortable to sleep alone.

The last time Shang Junlin had angered him, he had been sent to sleep alone on a small couch for a few days. Later, it was because Shen Yu couldn't bear it and ended the "punishment" early on his own.

"I want to look at Ah Yu more," Shang Junlin said, not at all sleepy. The events of today still lingered like a thorn in his heart, something he couldn't remove or ignore.

Shen Yu reached out from under the covers and gently covered the man's eyes. "Go to sleep. Your Majesty's worries won't come true."

The next day, when Shen Yu woke up, Shang Junlin was absent. Mu Xi helped him comb his hair and straighten his clothes. Shen Yu glanced at the neatly made soft couch and asked, "Do you know where His Majesty went yesterday?"

"I heard from Meng-gonggong that His Majesty went to see King Yue and also made a visit to the prison the way back."

The prison.

Could it be that the person who proclaimed "To have Shen's child is to have the world" was imprisoned there? Was Shang Junlin's unusual behavior yesterday because of him?

Shang Junlin's whereabouts wouldn't be hidden from Shen Yu's investigation. Shen Yu could roughly deduce where Shang Junlin's abnormality stemmed from.

What did that person say to Shang Junlin?

Shen Yu was somewhat curious.

In this vast world, there are all sorts of wonders. Shen Yu never thought that the scholar was merely a charlatan; he must know something. After all, if it weren't for him ultimately betraying them in his previous life, King Yue might indeed have ascended to that position.

To find out what happened to Shang Junlin, the quickest way was to ask Meng-gonggong, who always followed him. Shen Yu called Mu Xi and asked her to arrange a private meeting with Meng-gonggong.

If anyone else tried to inquire about His Majesty's whereabouts, Meng-gonggong would certainly not divulge it. However, Shen Yu was different; he was someone His Majesty held dear to his heart. Meng-gonggong hesitated for a moment but eventually found time to meet Shen Yu alone.

"Meng-gonggong, I believe you know why I've sought you out. Let's get straight to the point. What did King Yue say to His Majesty yesterday?"

Meng-gonggong recounted the conversation he had heard in detail, carefully observing Shen Yu's expression.

Shen Yu's face revealed nothing. Meng-gonggong had spent considerable time around Shang Junlin and knew Shen Yu was someone who silently achieved great things. He dared to speak because he had observed Shen Yu's interactions with Shang Junlin and knew Shen Yu was not indifferent to him. Meng-gonggong did not want unnecessary misunderstandings between the two because of what King Yue had said.

"I understand. Thank you, Meng-gonggong," Shen Yu said, placing down the teacup in his hand, its clear sound echoing against the tabletop.

"Your Excellency, if I may speak out of turn, I can see the affection between you and His Majesty. King Yue was clearly provoked, and his words cannot be taken as truth. However, in matters of the heart, it's difficult for someone in love to completely disregard such things, even if they know they are false. I mention this in hopes that you and His Majesty can always remain in harmony."

Meng-gonggong's meaning was clear: regardless of whether King Yue's words were true or false, as long as His Majesty deemed them false, it would suffice. At the same time, he hoped Shen Yu could resolve the rift in His Majesty's heart sooner rather than later, for long-term stability.

Having spent enough time in the palace, Meng-gonggong understood the nature of royal minds to some extent and knew that once the seeds of suspicion were planted, they were not easily removed.

He watched Shang Junlin step by step to where he was today, finally finding someone like Shen Yu who cared deeply for him. He did not wish for anyone to disrupt their bond and take Shen Yu away from him.

Shen Yu sensed Meng-gonggong's support from his demeanor and felt deeply moved. It was good to have someone like Shang Junlin who had someone like Shen Yu, who cared for him wholeheartedly.

"I understand, Meng-gonggong. Rest assured, His Majesty is the one I've chosen. I will not allow anyone to sow discord between us, no matter their intentions. As for King Yue, he's like a grasshopper in late autumn—how much longer can he keep jumping?"

Shen Yu's words reassured Meng-gonggong, who had worried about clarifying the situation between himself and King Yue. However, Shen Yu's implicit meaning was clear: he did not regard King Yue highly at all.

Since he didn't regard King Yue highly, there was no need to worry about the future events King Yue had mentioned.

As for past events, even if they were true, what did it matter? Who hadn't been foolish in their youth? Besides, Shen Yu still remembered the confidential report from the Hidden Dragon Guard before Shang Junlin entered the palace, stating that Shang Junlin might have looked at King Yue a little more because he bore some resemblance to His Majesty.

Now that His Majesty was within reach and Shang Junlin's affection for him was deepening day by day, what could King Yue amount to?

After his visit with Shen Yu, Meng-gonggong's concerns eased somewhat. As long as both masters were willing to communicate well, no matter what conspiracies others plotted, they were unlikely to succeed.

"Young Master, do you think His Majesty might misunderstand you because of what King Yue said?" After hearing Meng-gonggong's words, Mu Xi couldn't hide her worry.

"He won't."

"You mustn't be complacent," Mu Xi insisted urgently. "It's often said that misunderstandings deepen when they're not promptly resolved, eventually becoming irreconcilable conflicts."

"Words are just words. I've already discussed this matter with His Majesty. He's astute and won't misunderstand because of a few words from King Yue."

"Don't underestimate a few words. The more deeply involved one is, the harder it is to see clearly. Perhaps His Majesty can be discerning in other matters, but when it comes to you, it may not be so clear."

"Why is that?"

"Because His Majesty loves you. Those in love always worry, even if they know in their hearts that something is false and unbelievable, it's hard to truly ignore it," Mu Xi explained earnestly.

"You seem to know a lot, Mu Xi. Could it be that you've found someone you like?" Shen Yu raised an eyebrow teasingly. "If that's true, I'll arrange a grand wedding for you and ensure you marry in splendor."

"Please don't tease me, Young Master," Mu Xi blushed, flustered. "I don't have anyone I like, nor do I plan to marry. You promised to let me serve by your side, and I know all this because I've read too many books."

Mu Xi stuttered as she confessed about buying books through palace servants, nervously awaiting Shen Yu's response.

Shen Yu chuckled softly. "Why look at me like that? Your Young Master isn't so petty as to forbid you from reading books. There's no rule in the palace against reading books either."

Mu Xi breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn't afraid of Shen Yu punishing her; she was worried about the relationship between Shen Yu and His Majesty. As Shen Yu's servant, she naturally didn't want her young master to suffer because of a few words from King Yue.

Meanwhile, in Beimo, amidst internal turmoil, Da Huan naturally did not let go of such a good opportunity. Hidden stakes buried in Beimo began to stir, further complicating matters.

The Subei Army was also active, taking advantage of the chaos in Beimo to cause trouble among various factions, sometimes disguising themselves as one faction to harass another.

With external threats looming, instead of uniting, Beimo became even more chaotic.

In the study, Shen Yu brought a food box to share a meal with Shang Junlin, as he often did since their last meeting. If Shang Junlin was busy, Shen Yu would bring food to accompany him.

Shang Junlin didn't mind spending all day with Shen Yu, so he didn't object. He wished Shen Yu would stay in the study even when ministers visited, wishing he could prepare a couch for him there.

It was almost New Year's, and normally the court would have settled down by now. This year was different with Beimo issue and the matter involving King Yue, forcing ministers to remain engaged.

After finishing their meal, Shen Yu lingered, noticing documents on the desk regarding Beimo. He picked them up and read through them before asking, "Internal strife will greatly weaken Beimo. Does His Majesty plan to take advantage of this?"

"It would be difficult to completely conquer Beimo," Shang Junlin replied as he approached, standing close behind Shen Yu. "But if this internal strife continues, perhaps we can try something."

"How many troops does His Majesty have in Beimo?" Shen Yu inquired, tapping the documents.

"What does Ah Yu intend to do?"

"If we can't take down Beimo in one fell swoop, we might as well choose a more manageable figure to be the vessel king and then proceed slowly," Shen Yu suggested.

Compared to costly and destructive warfare, a more peaceful approach would be preferable.

Turning around, Shen Yu leaned back slightly with hands braced behind him, meeting Shang Junlin's eyes. "This is a great opportunity. With the major factions in Beimo currently at odds, it will take them some time to reach a resolution. His Majesty could wait and offer assistance once they've exhausted themselves. We could enter under the guise of aid. Those seeking help may be sensible enough to agree to a peace agreement upfront. If not, Da Huan's troops are already deep within Beimo, making any action much easier than it is now."

Shang Junlin approached until they were nearly touching, their breaths mingling. His voice was husky as he said, "There are moments when even I start to believe Zhu Wang's words are true."

Author's note: This is a sweet story without any angst.

Why is there no smut!!!