I Don't Want to Be a Charmboy【Quick Wear】

The air in the hall seemed to freeze instantly at Jiu Fangcheng's pointed remark. The tender warmth that had arisen from feeding the medicine vanished without a trace, leaving only a silent, tense tension spreading between the three.

Before Lin Shen could speak, Lin Ming, who was leaning against the headboard, coughed softly. The sound was not loud, but it was enough to attract everyone's attention.

He raised his hand to cover his lips, his shoulders trembled slightly, his face seemed even paler than before, and his eyelashes drooped, making him appear fragile and innocent.

He coughed for a while before speaking weakly, his voice so soft as if afraid of disturbing something: "General Jiufang, you are too kind. Second brother only... only because I was seriously injured, he couldn't bear it and stayed here all night. If it weren't for saving me, second brother wouldn't have been so frightened, nor would he have had to go through so much trouble... It's all my fault."

His words, seemingly self-reproaching, actually emphasized Lin Shen's "reluctance" and "laborious efforts" towards him, and even pointed out the fact that he "stayed up all night," like a tiny needle precisely piercing the place that Jiu Fangcheng cared about most.

As expected, Jiu Fangcheng's expression darkened further, and his gaze towards Lin Ming almost froze.

He snorted coldly, the sarcasm in his tone almost tangible: "Your Highness the Fourth Prince is truly righteous and considerate. I just wonder how many more times your body can withstand such 'self-sacrifice'? If you encounter danger again next time, you may not be so lucky as to run into His Highness the Crown Prince and only suffer 'minor injuries'."

He deliberately emphasized the words "sacrificed himself to save her" and "minor injuries," making no attempt to conceal his suspicion.

"Jiu Fangcheng!" Lin Shen frowned and spoke up, his tone clearly displeased. "It's a fact that my fourth brother saved me, and it's also a fact that he was seriously injured. Don't spout nonsense!"

He turned to Lin Ming, his voice softening slightly: "Your injuries haven't healed yet, so talk less and rest more." As he spoke, he reached out to pull up the quilt that had slipped down on Lin Ming.

This subtle movement seemed to have provoked Jiu Fangcheng.

He suddenly stood up from the soft couch, his black robes billowing in the wind, and strode to the bedside, standing almost shoulder to shoulder with Lin Shen. His tall figure cast a shadow that completely enveloped Lin Ming on the bed.

He looked down at Lin Ming, a sinister smile creeping onto his lips once more.

"Your Highness is right, I misspoke."

He verbally admitted his mistake, but his eyes were sharp as knives, fixed on Lin Ming. "His Highness the Fourth Prince 'sacrificed himself' to save the Crown Prince; such loyalty and courage are truly 'admirable.' However..."

He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze shifting to Lin Shen with a scorching intensity. “Your Highness is of noble status, and your position concerns the very foundation of the nation. To remain in another’s palace all night instead of returning to the Eastern Palace would be improper and likely to invite criticism if word got out. As an official of the Eastern Palace and the one who has instructed Your Highness, it is my duty to protect your safety. I must remind Your Highness that you should be mindful of your boundaries.”

His words, though seemingly righteous and invoking etiquette and duty, were in fact a dig at Lin Ming, implying that Lin Shen's stay there was inappropriate, and laying bare Jiu Fangcheng's "concerns" and Lin Ming's "ulterior motives."

Lin Ming's fingertips, gripping the brocade quilt tightly, turned white from the force. He raised his eyelids, but this time he didn't quickly glance away. Instead, he met Jiu Fangcheng's scrutinizing gaze directly. The docile facade completely crumbled, revealing a cold and deep abyss in his eyes, like an unfathomable icy pool.

He chuckled softly, his voice still weak, yet carrying a barely perceptible resilience: "General Jiufang is truly... extremely caring towards my second brother. He even considers such minute details so thoroughly, making me, as the younger brother, seem like I'm just relying on my elder brother and being immature."

He paused, then turned his gaze to Lin Shen, his tone carrying just the right amount of grievance and dependence: "Second Brother, General Jiu Fang is right. I didn't think things through. I was only concerned with my own injury and fear, and I kept bothering you... You didn't get a good night's sleep. You should go back to the East Palace to rest. I have palace servants to take care of me here."

As he spoke, his eyes seemed to redden slightly. He tried to appear sensible, yet his reluctance was palpable. This expression was more powerful than any direct accusation.

Seeing Lin Ming's appearance, Lin Shen's heart softened, and he became even more dissatisfied with Jiu Fangcheng's aggressive manner.

He raised his hand and gently patted Lin Ming's uninjured shoulder, saying softly, "It's alright, I'm not tired. Just focus on recovering and don't think too much."

He then turned around completely to face Jiu Fangcheng. His handsome face was expressionless, with only a hint of helplessness and suppressed anger in his eyes.

"General Jiufang, I appreciate your 'duty' and 'concern.' But I know my limits. My fourth brother is my brother, and he was seriously injured while saving me. It is only right and proper that I take care of him personally. As for any objections based on propriety..."

He paused slightly, his tone carrying an unquestionable calmness, "I act with integrity and uprightness, why should I fear what others say? But General, today you barged into the inner palace without permission and went straight to the bedchamber. Where is your sense of propriety?"

Lin Shen rarely spoke to Jiu Fangcheng in such an admonitory tone.

He usually just felt helpless or couldn't be bothered by this person's willful behavior. But today, Jiu Fangcheng's repeated targeting of Lin Ming was really bothering him.

Jiu Fangcheng was taken aback by Lin Shen's words, especially the last rhetorical question, which precisely pointed out the impoliteness of his behavior.

He stared at Lin Shen, watching his protective stance towards Lin Ming and the dissatisfaction he showed towards him. The anger in his chest mixed with an indescribable bitterness and grievance, burning him so badly that his internal organs ached.

He was terrified for him, even climbing over walls and over palaces, only to be met with cold words and sarcastic remarks from him because of another man.

"Upright and honorable?" Jiu Fangcheng sneered, taking a step closer, almost touching Lin Shen. His gaze was piercing, locking onto Lin Shen's eyes. His voice was low, yet carried a dangerous, questioning tone that only the two of them could hear, "Your Highness, are you sure you're staying here only because your 'brother' is injured? And not because of something else?"

His gaze swept meaningfully over the hand that Lin Shen had just patted Lin Ming's shoulder, then returned to Lin Shen's face, carrying an almost domineering probing and possessiveness.

Lin Shen was taken aback by his inexplicable words and approaching posture, and then his anger flared up and his face turned cold.

"Jiufangcheng! What do you mean by that? Explain yourself!"

"Does Your Highness not understand what I mean?"

Jiu Fangcheng stood his ground, the two so close they could feel each other's breath. "Some people are cunning and adept at feigning weakness to gain sympathy. Your Highness is kind and gentle, don't let yourself be used without realizing it!"

"You..." Lin Shen was furious. He naturally understood that Jiu Fangcheng was indirectly criticizing Lin Ming.

"General Jiufang!" Lin Ming on the bed suddenly raised his voice, which, though still hoarse from illness, clearly interrupted the tense atmosphere between the two.

He propped himself up on his arms, as if trying to sit up straight, his face flushed with an unnatural rage. "Please watch your words! I respect you because you are someone my second brother values, and I have been tolerant of you time and time again. But if you continue to slander me like this and sow discord between me and my second brother, I... I will risk all my injuries to seek justice from Father!"

His words were resounding and carried a resolute tone, as if he were truly capable of doing so if Jiu Fangcheng pressed him any further.

Seeing this, Lin Shen immediately turned around and supported him: "Fourth brother! Don't get angry, be careful of your wound!" He turned back to look at Jiu Fangcheng, his eyes already filled with sternness, "Jiu Fangcheng, get out! Now!"

Seeing the scene of "brotherly affection" before him, and witnessing Lin Shen's unwavering choice to protect Lin Ming and issue him the order to leave, Jiu Fangcheng felt his chest heave violently. For the first time, a clear look of hurt and disbelief flashed in his usually arrogant eyes.

He stared intently at Lin Shen, as if trying to etch the way he was protecting others into his mind.

After a long pause, he finally managed to squeeze out a cold laugh through gritted teeth, filled with self-mockery and anger.

"Good, very good." He nodded repeatedly, his gaze sweeping over Lin Ming like a cold lightning bolt. The warning and chill in his eyes were almost tangible, causing Lin Ming to involuntarily shrink back and move closer to Lin Shen.

"Your subject takes his leave!" Jiu Fangcheng practically spat out these three words through gritted teeth. He turned abruptly, his black robes drawing a sharp and resolute arc in the air. Carrying an unvented, violent rage, he strode out of the inner hall, his footsteps striking the jade floor heavily as they faded into the distance.

The hall finally fell silent, with only the wafting incense and Lin Ming's low, suppressed breathing remaining.

Lin Shen stared at the direction where Jiu Fangcheng had disappeared, his brow furrowed, his mind in turmoil. This guy was becoming increasingly lawless, and his words were becoming more and more unrestrained!

"Second Brother..." Lin Ming gently tugged at his sleeve, his voice trembling with fear, "General Jiufang...does he dislike me? Did I...cause you trouble, Second Brother?"

Lin Shen withdrew his gaze, looking at Lin Ming's pale and fragile face. He forcibly suppressed the irritation in his heart and gently comforted him, "It's none of your business. He's always been like this, a scoundrel at heart. Don't take it to heart. Take good care of your injuries. I'll take care of everything."

He helped Lin Ming lie down again, tucking him in with the blanket. His movements were still careful and gentle, but his thoughts had already drifted far away.

Lin Ming, with his eyelashes lowered and obediently letting Lin Shen take care of him, subtly curled a very faint, cold smile at the corner of his mouth from an angle where no one could see.