``Sleeping with comfort.``
``-> Mu Lingye ♥︎ Xu Rongyuan
``-> I'm making this on whims only. Xu Rongyuan kinda gets called "A-Niang". Not really toxic except for a few, still experimenting with Mu Lingye's character and his mommy issues. No beta we die like Mu Lingye's birds. I defintely forgot a few points to the plot.
Soft orange lights peaks through the curtains of the Crown Prince's bed. Sanbao watching every move of the Physician.
"The Royal Highness's fever has lowered for now, I shall prescribe a medicines for you serve him." Lowering his eyes, Xu Rongyuan stood up from the chair provided. How did he even get here? He suddenly got summoned. He, a new physician, summoned to assist the precious Crown Prince.
Jiusi tried all his might to stop his master from going. Alas, Xu Rongyuan would be punished for not assisting Mu Lingye's fever and sudden collapse. The last time he even saw the man, he was insulted and mocked for zero reasons. He thanked the heavens for not considering to make him a part of the Crown Prince's staff.
"A-Niang..." Mu Lingye slowly awakened, his sharp eyes immediately noticing a figure with long hair that is covering light blue robes, talking to Sanbao. It's a bit a blur.., he can't quite distinguish what the two are talking about.
His last memories are him blacking out suddenly after getting dressed. But more annoyingly, Why is that guy here? Just sensing the motion of his simple blue robes annoyed Mu Lingye.
Truthfully, Mu Lingye sort of forgotten Xu Rongyuan—the new physician he met how long ago. Something stuck with him. Was it his eyes, His words and demeanor...He can't describe it. Still, that doesn't really explain who brought this person here. Shouldn't he get the most skilled physician? What's with this low ranked being here? Did he touch him?
Glancing back, Xu Rongyuan widened his eyes. Walked towards the bed whilst moving the curtains away from view, "Your Royal Highness, are you feeling better?" A smile plastered on his lips.
Mu Lingye stared back.
Even with just him staring back at Xu Rongyuan; it makes the physician's heart beat run faster. He'd already experienced beforehand how much power the Crown Prince's holds within the palace, the Emperor's favorite other than Jingxue.
"Mm."
Oh. Oh wow. After Xu Rongyuan painstakingly hurried to the arrogant's palace, guards following him like crazy, and a eunuch watching his every move, he felt like his head was about to be chopped off any second, this was his patient's response.
"Does your Royal Highness feel any discomfort? I have already prescribe—"
Mu Lingye frowned, "No need. Leave."
Ah... I have heard the Crown Prince relying on a sachet given to him by his Majesty's concubine... Xu Rongyuan froze for a moment, I see. Shi Qiuci... you were the one who gave it.
"Then I shall take my leave, I will examine your progress everyday, your Royal Highness."
Xu Rongyuan doesn't have a choice in the decision, he is required to until the one laying in bed feels better since he is the one who took care and prescribed the medicine. Essentially, they want me to take the blame. A scapegoat for the higher ups and those around.
He grabbed his supplies, turning around. Sneaking a look on the interiors; it's spacious, filled to the brim with elaborate gifts—guessing they are from those sucking up—with few paintings draped aling the walls of bird creatures, from mythology to your daily birds. Xu Rongyuan made note of how most looked untouched.
Walking step by step towards the door, Xu Rongyuan also makes note of the Crown Prince's eunuch, how long has he been on the man's side? Whatever, better not be caught up in the Crown Prince's affairs, else Xu Rongyuan's life will change drastically.
One, Obey the prince's orders. Two, never lick his boots. Not that Xu Rongyuan wants to get close to him. Three, never mention the late Empress. All of these seems easy enough, Xu Rongyuan blends right into the background. Usually. Except for this time of him actually serving the Crown Prince.
This will go smoothly, right?
Three days in, Xu Rongyuan really wished he'd accept Cheng Henian's offer. It was supposed to be the last day he examines Mu Lingye's condition before he resumes back to his daily life. He endured the snickering comments, he didn't take the insults jabbing his dignity to heart. He pushed through with smiles and staying profesional.
So why is he in this position?!
"Y.. Your Royal Highness..?"
The arms around his waist tightened, like a snake coiling around it's prey. His blood runs cold, yet his neck is hot from the prince's breath, lips pressing against the back of his nape. Breathing in the sweat dripping from how nervous Xu Rongyuan is.
The last time someone got caught in this position, what happened to them? And to Xu Rongyuan's knowledge, The Crown Prince isn't a cutsleeve.
Hisses of pain left the physician's lips.
"Learn to close your lips together." Mu Lingye gruffed, "I had thought a your lowly self had said that this prince needs rest? Are you unwilling to assist a scary prince like me?"
Xu Rongyuan gasps, "N.. No.., Your Royal Highness." he really should have stayed in the crescent house. Yesterday this bastard's already in a good shape, but Sanbao still worried. How could Xu Rongyuan reject a worried servant. And now Xu Rongyuan's the only one to pay such decision, his neck hurts with the way the Crown Prince is grabbing it. Tilted his head to the side; letting the prince's high nose nuzzle into it.
Sanbao, where are you when I need you to stay?! Even though Xu Rongyuan knows the Eunuch can do little to nothing, but atleast Mu Lingye would do much less and restrain himself, right?
From the short days he check up on his royal highness, the mood definitely change spontaneously. One second being 'gentle' as he could, the next second killing someone off. Most of what he's seen and heard are the latter, which is... quite concerning.
Mu Lingye mumbles an insult Xu Rongyuan couldn't really hear, before closing his lids once more, the hold of his wrapped hands pressing on his physician weakened.
That was fast.
Xu Rongyuan recalls Mu Lingye waking up immediately as he hears Xu Rongyuan's or anyone else's footsteps. What's the change?
An hour of looking off in the distance passes by. The safe haven of the door shining so brightly, as if urging him to leave the hold of such prince.
But.. if the Crown Prince wakes up...
He moved his head down, his pupils fixated on the man's settled face on his nape, chest rising up and down slowly against the back of Xu Rongyuan. He looked peaceful in this position. That furrowed brows of his relaxed for once.
"Leaving should be fine now."
This reminds Xu Rongyuan of childrens sticking close to their mothers while sleeping. They hate being left alone, hugging their mothers closely—because all they know is their mother's loving gaze and protection. Sleeping is especially scary for them, isn't it? The darkness would be only seconds unlike how much time has truly passed, and they will wake up with the sun greeting them. Yet, childrens are fresh babies with no knowledge, the world looks big. Unlike their tiny bodies who still struggle to walk.
The betrayal look when they woke up, searching for their favorite person, before realizing their mothers left to go sleep with you father. Only the sun shining brightly greets them, but the sun's hello is nothing compared to their mommy's smile.
Xu Rongyuan weakly handles Mu Lingye's wilted arm. He intends to slowly position the arm away, the arm below him is easy to deal with if the Crown Prince continues to sleep soundly. Worst case, it grips Xu Ronguuan back to his original spot.
"Mmh.."
Hearing the soft noise from the prince, Xu Rongyuan's conciousness suddenly isn't up to ruin the prince's mood. Sanbao had told him how his Royal Highness has insomnia and nightmares if he even slept for minute, which sort of explains why his body's immune system falters with a low fever. Exhaustion must have played a big role.
He'll let it slip once. Once someone comes, he'll leave Mu Lingye's chambers.
The sun's rays were stopped by Mu Lingye's curtains, small percentage able to seep through; stirring Xu Rongyuan from his deep sleep. As his head moves, his long hair splayed out across the plush bed. Ontop of him, someone heavy pressed him down to the bed.
"Jiusi.., did a nightmare appe—" He froze. Stunned. Jiusi isn't heavy. Xu Rongyuan wouldn't struggle like this, even if Jiusi placed all his weight on the young master of serene clinic. Hah. Jiusi didn't have a nightmare, but Xu Rongyuan is in one right now.
Unable to leave the Crown Prince alone last night, Xu Rongyuan stayed put and eventually fell asleep while waiting for Sanbao or someone to come and help him slip out of Mu Lingye's hold.
Soft lips grazed his skin—wait, grazed his skin?! Without delay, Xu Rongyuan's eyes widened in size, finally taking in his surroundings. His robes are halfway down, his torso fully exposed to the air... The Crown Prince laid on top of him, not giving Xu Rongyuan any space to work with.
"A-Niang..." He snuggles closer, "Don't leave.. Lingye..." It was just a slight movement from Xu Rongyuan, yet he's already reacting strongly.
Hearing such gentle plead of mumbles, Xu Rongyuan can't help but sympathizes. He doesn't want to or atleast, he knows he shouldn't feel sorry for the frustrations and sadness Mu Lingye has caused, but he can feel sorry for the prince who lost its mother.
His hands slowly moves; patting Mu Lingye's back with one hand, the other stroking the other's silky long blach hair. Xu Rongyuan would definitely be executed if the Crown Prince wakes up in a bad mood and sees him doing this...
Sanbao, where are you? Are you leaving your job so I'm the one handling this?
Mu Lingye shifts slightly, "A-Niang..."
Damn. What is Xu Rongyuan supposed to do at this point? The Crown Prince is calling out. Seriously. He isn't trained for this type of situation.
Aghh. If Jiusi was in his position, what would I have done?... Wait, maybe that'll work?
Soon, hums of a gntle melody echoes the infamous cold Crown Prince, filtering out the bad thoughts of the servants preparing for the prince's mood swing so early in the day.
Twirling the other's hair, Xu Rongyuan continues to accompany the second prince's sleep until the sun shines brighter, greeting the two so intently. The flowing curtains lazily blocked its light from reaching the corners of the sleeping royal's face. the peace he held in the closed and quiet room soon changes with hundreds of footsteps, followed suit with shoutings.
"The Crown Prince Mu Lingye is sleeping inside—Do not dare to brazenly come here!" The familiarity of Sanbao's voice reaches Xu Rongyuan's ears, so..that Eunuch was near the vicinity this entire time.
"You—! How will you explain the dissapearance of a physician that was last seen going inside of the Crown Prince's palace?"
Mu Linghao!
Xu Rongyuan tried to get up—his body immediately pulled back down by a strong hand, "Ah..!"
The Crown Prince is fully awake, his lips curving up to a smile that dosn't quite reach his eyes, "Stay quiet." His right hand slides up Xu Rongyuan's lips, parting the trembling gaping mouth.
He thought for a long time whilst he woke; Mu Linghao has everything Mu Lingye doesn't have, it is permissable to take a single thing that he doesn't clearly own yet want. It is not a need to him, is it? It's a speck of dust between the Third Prince and the Ninth Prince's bond.
"Mmf..!" Xu Rongyuan grips Mu Lingye's robe, if Mu Linghao came in this instant, there would be a huge misunderstanding...! Don't tell me his Royal Highness has been awake this entire time?!
"Move!"
Mu Linghao's voice sounded through the place, servants whispering to each other.
He's never one to hit a Prince, but he'll be in bigger trouble if everyone sees them in bed together! He rose his left hand, before it was clasped with the other's hand.
A low chuckle came from behind. Shivers went down Xu Rongyuan's spine as Mu Lingye breathed in the smell of the Physician he knows that brother of his visits loves to visit. It just so happens Mu Lingye could sleep so well... so it's a need, right? It's way more important than Mu Linghao's want.
The doors to Mu Lingye's room opened widely.
Collective gasps filled the halls. How scandalous of the two, shamelessly continuing their night activities from before to the next morning. Even if there's curtains shielding the two, the figures of the two nestling close to each other is already enough evidence for the ones gathered that day.
