The Beautiful Top Being Pursued Relentlessly [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 45

“My Lord, what happened?”

Jiang Yi, having rolled off the bed, sat up and rubbed his eyes vigorously. As his vision cleared, he watched unblinkingly as a snow-white inner robe draped over Xie Cheng’s frame. The silk ties were pulled taut and fastened into a neat knot.

It wasn’t until a chill swept over him that Jiang Yi realized he was completely unclothed. Wary of the outsiders standing at the door who might enter at any moment, he quickly grabbed Xie Cheng’s outer robe from the previous night and wrapped it around himself.

The robe was a bit soiled, but he leaned his head over to catch a faint scent. A moment later, his face flushed deep red as he buried it into the fabric.

“Something has come up that I must handle.”

Xie Cheng finished changing into his undergarments and turned around, only to witness Jiang Yi’s inexplicably foolish behavior.

After a long silence, he walked over to take a fresh outer robe from the rack, only to have his leg hugged tightly by Jiang Yi once more.

As Xie Cheng looked down, Jiang Yi happened to be looking up.

“Would the Prince be willing to take me along?”

Jiang Yi poked at his leg with a fingertip, lightly scratching. “My public identity is the Prince’s personal guard, after all. A personal guard should follow his master everywhere.”

“You want to be my guard that badly?”

Hearing this, Jiang Yi feared another misunderstanding and quickly explained, “Naturally not. It’s just that being a guard allows me to watch over you every second. I want to be inseparable from you. My Lord, you must believe me.”

The same words had already been uttered last night.

Yet, hearing the affirmation again seemed to soothe Xie Cheng’s heart, smoothing out its edges. He replied, “I understand. Get up.”

Jiang Yi stood up, pressing close to him.

His upper body was still bare, but he no longer feared the attendants bursting in. He paced about boldly, fetching an outer robe and a green bamboo-patterned belt. “My Lord, let me.”

Xie Cheng cooperated by opening his arms. As they stood close, the posture almost drew Jiang Yi into a full embrace. The bare-chested man radiated warmth through Xie Cheng’s thin inner robe, his movements occasionally brushing against Xie Cheng’s chest as he worked the belt.

It was itchy, and a bit hot.

This was a sensitive spot for both of them.

“Behave yourself,” Xie Cheng said, tapping him on the forehead.

“My Lord.”

Jiang Yi called out in a sticky, sweet tone, burying himself in Xie Cheng’s chest. He looped the belt around him, but his fingers wandered restlessly beneath the fabric.

“What are you trying to say?” Xie Cheng asked.

“Could you. tie me up, My Lord?”

Jiang Yi’s imagination was running wild.

Xie Cheng: What nonsensical rubbish.

“I want to be bound by you,” Jiang Yi murmured, lowering his head to find a comfortable spot against Xie Cheng’s chest, leaning his head sideways.

“To have you always on me… exchanging… indulging… I would give everything I have to you.”

His words were explicit and bold.

Xie Cheng remained silent for a moment before tapping his forehead again. His finger slid down slightly, pressing gently against the corner of Jiang Yi’s mouth that had been bitten raw the night before. “Stop playing around. The Crown Prince was assassinated this morning; his life and death are currently unknown.”

“Huh?” Jiang Yi suddenly pulled back.

His brain finally snapped into focus.

“Why else did you think I rose so early?”

Xie Cheng smoothed out the creases in his collar caused by the rubbing and casually tied his long hair back with a silk ribbon. “Didn’t you hear Shui Shi shouting outside?”

Jiang Yi shook his head honestly. “I didn’t.”

He had been in a daze this morning; he only remembered being kicked off the bed by the Prince, which had been rather painful.

“I’ll give you the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn. Get dressed and find me in the carriage outside the manor.”

Leaving him with that, Xie Cheng pushed the door open and walked out.

Inside the room, Jiang Yi moved quickly. Almost as soon as Xie Cheng stepped into the carriage, Jiang Yi followed right behind him.

Perhaps because he had run in a hurry, his cheeks carried a light sweat. As he looked up at Xie Cheng, his face glowed like a pair of rosy clouds, his eyes shimmering with moisture.

Xie Cheng noticed the robes Jiang Yi had chosen—moon-white silk with exquisite gold-threaded cloud patterns on the sleeves that shimmered in the sunlight. Clearly, these were his robes.

Not just the robes; the jade pendant at the man’s waist, the string of jade ornaments, the clumsily tied belt, and the folding fan tucked under his arm—they were all Xie Cheng’s belongings.

Once Jiang Yi scrambled into the carriage, Xie Cheng’s finger hooked into the belt. “You wear my robes, you wear my jade… what else have you done?”

Jiang Yi gave a sheepish laugh.

“Speak.”

“I’m also wearing your inner robes.”

“Hmm?”

Xie Cheng’s finger slid up from the belt, pulling aside a layer of the outer robe. He touched an inner garment identical to his own, though the fabric was a slightly faded shade—it was an old one of his.

“Going out with the Prince, it wouldn’t be right to wear those ragged clothes. What would happen if I embarrassed you?” Jiang Yi was an expert at finding excuses.

But the real reason was that the Prince smelled wonderful, and the robes he had worn carried that scent.

“Besides, I didn’t dare to be late. I couldn’t run back to my own room, or the carriage would have left without me.”

Xie Cheng withdrew his gaze and sat upright.

“My Lord.”

As the carriage jolted over a bump, Jiang Yi “happened” to roll into Xie Cheng’s arms, his own arms winding tightly around the Prince’s waist. He pivoted to serious matters so Xie Cheng wouldn’t have a reason to scold him.

“Have you found out who sent the assassins?”

“Not yet.”

“Did they leave anything behind at the scene?”

“Nothing.”

Jiang Yi stroked his chin thoughtfully. “These assassins are incredibly cautious, leaving not a single flaw.”

Xie Cheng’s eyes darkened. “No matter how cautious, there will be a slip-up. It can be traced.”

The Crown Prince was the protagonist of this world; his life wasn’t in any real danger. Xie Cheng wasn’t worried about the wounds. However, for an assassination to occur repeatedly right under the Emperor’s nose and to be brought before him was truly irritating.

According to the plot’s timeline, Xie Cheng already had some suspicions about this attack.

The scandal of the “true and false young masters” of the Shangshu Manor had been causing a stir. The reborn Ye Qing was no longer the “innocent little white flower” of his past life. If he wanted to secure his position in the manor, he would surely seek to eliminate Ye Shu, his greatest obstacle.

With the eldest Ye brother, who was devoted to him in this life finding assassins wouldn’t be difficult. It was just that the assassins meant for Ye Shu had happened to run into the Crown Prince, leading to a struggle and the Prince’s heavy injuries.

What a “lovely” pair of star-crossed lovers.

“My Lord, did you think of a lead?”

“Just some suspicions,” Xie Cheng replied.

“A suspicion is a direction for investigation.” Jiang Yi pointed subtly at himself. “You need a trusted confidant to follow this lead and uncover the true mastermind.”

“You’re right.”

Xie Cheng stroked Jiang Yi’s hair as if petting the fur on a tiger’s back. He noted how this man imitated him in every way, even tying his hair back halfway with a silk ribbon.

“Rest assured, I can certainly handle this and ease your worries,” Jiang Yi said excitedly.

“Did I say you were going?”

“Huh?” Jiang Yi looked at him with puppy-dog eyes.

Seeing no reaction from Xie Cheng, he added, “I’ve practiced martial arts since childhood. While I might not be a world-renowned grandmaster, I’m at least a top-tier expert.”

As he spoke, his right hand moved toward his belt, wanting to show Xie Cheng the results of his training—sturdy, upright, and powerful.

However, just as his fingers touched the silk, Xie Cheng’s hand moved over his. A cool palm firmly pressed down on his wrist. The force wasn’t heavy, yet it rendered him instantly immobile.

Xie Cheng compromised. “Follow Shui Shi and investigate.”

Jiang Yi’s eyes lit up. He immediately pressed closer, wrapping his arms around Xie Cheng’s neck. His warm breath deliberately brushed against the Prince’s ear. “You’re the best.”

He intentionally softened his voice, his lips grazing the jade-white earlobe. “I’ll stay right with Shui Shi. I won’t cause any trouble or embarrass you.”

“Stop fidgeting. Sit quietly.”

Jiang Yi let out a soft “oh” and folded his hands on his lap, sitting obediently in Xie Cheng’s lap.

The wheels rumbled, creating a rhythmic sound against the bluestone road. Jiang Yi truly stopped talking, leaning docilely against Xie Cheng. Only the sound of mingling breaths and the slight rustle of fabric filled the carriage.

After some time, the carriage slowed to a halt.

Shui Shi lifted the curtain from the outside. A cool breeze rushed in, carrying the lingering dampness from last night. Before them stood the towering vermillion gates of the Eastern Palace. The gold plaque inscribed with “Eastern Palace” shone sternly in the sunlight, flanked by Imperial Guards holding halberds, their armor glinting coldly.

“My Lord, we have arrived.” Shui Shi looked toward the main gate, his brow furrowing. “There is someone there.”

“Who?” Xie Cheng asked.

“Someone the guards won’t let in, but haven’t chased away yet.”

****

In front of the Eastern Palace’s main gate, a thin figure knelt upon the stone steps. Hearing movement behind him, he looked up, revealing a face covered in tear tracks.

“If I do not see the Crown Prince today, I shall remain kneeling here forever!” he cried out.

Dressed in rich silks and wearing expensive jade, he looked every bit the wealthy noble. It was the “fake” young master currently residing in the Shangshu Manor, Ye Qing.

“What kind of show is this?”

Xie Cheng stepped onto the carriage stool to dismount. Before his feet could even touch the ground, a sturdy arm hooked around his waist, and his “bold” personal guard swept him down.

It was steady and incredibly fast. It left Xie Cheng with no room to complain.

Outside the carriage, Shui Shi lowered his head. “Lately, there have been many rumors about Master Ye Qing being arrogant and overbearing. It seems that as soon as he heard Master Ye Shu was in trouble, he rushed here to beg the Crown Prince for help—just to show off how ‘magnanimous’ he is and win a good reputation.”

Xie Cheng’s lips thinned slightly. His gaze swept over the dried blood on Ye Qing’s forehead before looking deep into the palace gates.

“He certainly knows how to pick a place to make a scene.”

Shui Shi agreed. “Precisely. The Crown Prince was just attacked, and here he is wailing and causing a disturbance. He definitely has an ulterior motive.”

Their voices weren’t loud, but they didn’t bother to hide them either.

Ye Qing whipped his head around. Seeing Xie Cheng, his sobbing suddenly spiked in volume, becoming even more shrill and pathetic.

As if he had expected Xie Cheng to appear, he crawled several steps on his knees in an instant, grabbing the hem of Xie Cheng’s robes.

“My Lord! I beg the Prince to seek justice for our Ye family!” Ye Qing made a move to hug his leg, only to be kicked away by Xie Cheng.

“Men, drag him away,” Xie Cheng said coldly.

The Imperial Guards obeyed, pinning Ye Qing by the shoulders.

Xie Cheng ignored the struggling cries behind him and walked straight through the main gates of the Eastern Palace. Jiang Yi followed closely. However, as he stepped over the threshold, he mischievously flicked a small pebble.

The stone traced a silent arc through the air, striking Ye Qing precisely in the back of the knee.

Ye Qing, who was staggering to his feet, let out a “thud” as he slammed back onto the ground, his kneecap hitting the hard stone.

“My Lord!” Ye Qing cried out in pain.

His voice was cut off by the closing of the heavy gates.

Xie Cheng slowed his pace and glanced back. “That was a very accurate throw.”

The Prince praised me!

Jiang Yi smiled sheepishly. “It was alright, alright. I can be even more accurate next time.”

His smile was brilliant. Xie Cheng offered his usual commentary: “Idiot.”

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