The dignified son was beaten in public, which made those who were still at the banquet feel uneasy.
The Lu family and the second prince were relatives, so they had always been close to the second prince among the royal family, but now they were unceremoniously beating him in public. The guests present didn't dare to interfere, but they couldn't help but wonder whether the relationship between the two parties had secretly deteriorated to this point.
Lu Feng had already arrived, but he was just talking softly to the youngest son who was chronically ill. After about a dozen of sons had beaten the person, he finally called to stop, "You are not allowed to beat the prince, all come back to me!"
The strong body of Lu Nanxing, who had been their father's bodyguard for years, just landed unceremoniously on the rogue prince[mfn]Anna:He literally threw himself down on the prince, a la WWE move[/mfn] when he heard his father's half-hearted rebuke. He kicked him again from below before he got up slowly and respectfully returned, "Father."
"What do you think you are doing, fighting in public at your brother's coming-of-age party?"
With a calm expression on his face, Lu Feng feigned anger and painlessly reprimanded with a few words. With a wave of his hand, he called out the family guard to take the involved people and put him in confinement. Then he politely turned to the ninth prince who had been robbed of ice cream.
"I have to humbly ask for the Ninth Highness to send the Second Highness back. The youngest son is frightened so I can't leave tonight. Tomorrow I will personally go to the emperor to make amends."
Antonio, who had just been robbed of ice cream and had no time to eat anything: …
This person must be targeting him.
Today, because of the unintentional clash with the head of the Lu family about using slaves as containers, no matter what they couldn't face each other again. What's more, just looking at that servant's attitude, he had begun to wonder if he had been too reckless and misunderstood something in his haste.
The second brother was lying on the ground and with the crowd in full view, he couldn't ignore him. After the quarrel, the ninth prince, who hadn't eaten anything, planned to eat ice cream to calm down but it was robbed. As such, he was extremely depressed. He slowly walked out with the guards and left the banquet with the second prince being carried away on the back of the guards.
Gu Song came back late, holding the ice cream tray. Before he could join in and beat the prince, he was placed within the confinement area because he was standing too close.
Seeing that the guards were about to take him away, Lu Qingshi was a little anxious. He stepped forward to stop them but was squeezed by Gu Song, "Youngest Master, I'm fine."
"Don't worry, it's for his own good to be locked up, he'll be released in a night at most."
Lu Fanghai, who participated in the beating, calmly rolled up his sleeves, handed over his hands, and allowed himself to be held in custody as the eldest son of the Lu family while leaning over and explaining in a warm voice to his youngest brother.
The Youngest Master was bullied while the servant was away, but there was a reason. Although he should be punished according to the rules, the Lu family knew how dedicated Gu Song was to protect Lu Qingshi, and no one could bear to punish him for this kind of thing.
However, he was still confined for one night. He was locked up with the Lu family's children, so he wouldn't suffer any wrongdoing, and he could evade the anger of the royal family on the ground that he had already been punished. In case the two princes really became angry, they could also protect Gu Song together safely.
No matter how he was the one who the youngest brother liked, when the elder brother was angry, he still had to bite his teeth and be more careful.
Gu Song naturally understood the kindness of the older brothers. He smiled at Lu Qingshi and nodded apologetically to the guard before scooping a small bowl of ice cream into his hands. He then gave the rest to the waiter beside him to put it in the Youngest Master's small refrigerator. No one is allowed to touch it.
Lu Qingshi pursed his lips and raised his head, then looked at the second brother on the side.
Lu Jueming was casting his eyes down while the guard was told half a truth, and he met his brother's sight, paused for a moment, and shook his head slightly.
The Youngest Master with no one to assist him beside was holding his own ice cream bowl, his thick eyelashes flickered twice, and his eyes fell back to the body of his servant.
Gu Song smiled, walked to Lu Qingshi, re-tied the ribbon that was torn apart by the second prince, and leaned softly. "Please take a night off, tomorrow I will find the Youngest Master to do my homework, okay?"
The back of his hand rubbed Lu Qingshi's cheek gently with the opportunity of arranging the ribbon and gently rubbed it over. Seeing a faint blush on Lu Qingshi's face, the smile in his eyes grew stronger. He winked at his Youngest Master and withdrew his hand before no one noticed.
Lu Qingshi stared at him for a while, finally nodded obediently, and was escorted away by the servant back to the bedroom.
The change happened in the twinkling of an eye. Lu Feng watched his youngest son leave and when he turned around, the gentleness on his face had faded away, and the usual majestic coldness of the Minister of Military Affairs resurfaced.
The banquet also reached the end as the guests and hosts each had their own agenda.
❆
Gu Song was lying on the bed with his arm on his pillow.
Because he was brought over with the Lu family's young masters, he was also put in the confinement room for the Lu family's children. Although the door was locked and the space was not too big, the room was pretty much furnished, and even a simple supper was given. It was not too much to stay in it for a night.
The confinement room was used for the Lu family's children to reflect on their mistakes behind the closed door when they got into trouble. He chose the cleanest corner. The room was so quiet that they could hear their own breathing.
Gu Song wasn't sleepy so he turned over, took a deep breath, and sat up.
Knowing that this confinement was a disguise to protect them, and knowing that even if the Lu family would never treat the Youngest Master poorly and there would be many servants on standby at any time, with no one accompanying by the side of the Youngest Master would certainly be good too.
No matter what, he just can't let it go.
Then again, it's the night of his birthday, the Youngest Master must feel lonely with no one around.
Gu Song sat for a while before getting up, clutched his palm with a light flip, and a key was caught between his fingers.
The people from before must at least give the royal family face, and the one involved should be confined so he didn't resist too much. But on the way he was brought over, he couldn't bear it and sneaked the key to the confinement room.
I'll go back for a moment and take a look.
After all, he didn't participate in the unilateral beating of the second prince but took the ice cream tub from the ninth prince. Even if he was discovered, he probably wouldn't cause any trouble to the Lu family.
The key went into the keyhole and he turned it as gently as possible, making a very light clicking sound in the quiet night.
The original tightly locked alloy door was quietly pushed open.
...
The night outside was dark, and the summer night breeze cooled down, sweeping away the sultry heat of the day, and the air was refreshed again.
Gu Song recalled the way he came and groped his way forward.
This area was almost on the edge of the Lu family's estate. There was no light, the night was quiet, and it looked exceptionally deserted.
Gu Song tightened his collar and was about to speed up his steps, but suddenly there was a vague sound of crisp bells beside his ears.
He was so familiar with this sound. Gu Song's heart beat lightly, instinctively looking up, and he saw a vague figure.
The thin figure was leaning against the corner motionlessly, so quiet that it almost melted into the night.
Gu Song's heart soared up instantly. He hurriedly rushed over, gathered the familiar shadow between his arms, and was about to speak, his delicate face lifted from his chest, his eyebrows stretched, and his black eyes filled with smiles.
His Youngest Master looked at him with a smile, his body was slightly cool by the wind, his forehead was still sweaty, but his eyes were washed out by the moonlight.
Gu Song hardly knew whether he should be tense or relieved. He smiled helplessly while holding him, carefully guarding the person under his chest and shoulders and gently stroking his back with his palms.
"Why did the Youngest Master run here by himself? Are you tired? How come there isn't a servant following ..."
Even if he wasn't there, the Lu family would never let the Youngest Master go alone. At least they would send a dozen servants to closely take care of him, but they actually let Lu Qingshi sneak out by himself.
Also ran so far.
The bedroom wasn't that close to this place. Given Lu Qingshi's current physical condition, it would be a miracle to be able to walk here. Had it not been for the sound of the bell, the two of them might have missed each other.
"I counted, walked fifty steps, and stopped for a minute, not tired at all."[mfn]Anna: He rested 1 minute for every 50 steps taken.[/mfn]
Lu Qingshi completely relaxed and leaned into his arms. He softly patted his back, squinting his eyes with comfort. "It's only been thirty seconds now ..."
Gu Song's heart was sour and sweet, his eyes were hot, he hugged him cautiously. After measuring the distance a little, he lowered his head to Lu Qingshi's ear. "The Youngest Master has suffered, can you sleep with me tonight?"
It was closer to the confinement room. Lu Qingshi couldn't catch a cold. He sweated a lot, and it would be uncomfortable when the cold wind blew again.
Lu Qingshi only wanted to find him. Naturally, it didn't matter where he slept. He nodded in a good mood, raised his arms around his broad shoulders, and snuggled up in his chest against the cold blowing wind.
With a soft and melting touch, Gu Song held him in one hand, removed his coat and wrapped the person with it. He couldn't help but lower his head and kiss his forehead. "How did the Youngest Master escape? Has anyone noticed?"
"No, I'm the best at this."
Wrapped in the coat of the young servant, a source of heat continuously penetrated through the warm and strong chest. Gu Song's steps were steady and regular as if wrapped in a gentle ocean wave, gently moving ups and downs.
Lu Qingshi raised his head comfortably, letting Gu Song's lips gently rub between his eyebrows, with a vague soft response.
Although there were servants who were guarding the door, the entire floor of the villa was used as a place for him to relax. Every room was open with hidden doors and thick carpets. Rarely, people would come up and walk around. Those servants only guarded one door of the bedroom. He went out through the secret door, and no one else could find it.
Reminded of the Youngest Master's heroic deeds when he ran away from home, Gu Song couldn't help but chuckle and praised him solemnly, "The Youngest Master gets better than before. Have you brought food this time?"
He just smiled and joked, but Lu Qingshi closed his eyes and felt up in his pocket.
Gu Song was slightly surprised and widened his eyes curiously. The Youngest Master had already taken out a plum candy, dexterously peeled off the paper with his white fingertips, and put the candy into his mouth accurately.
The sweet and sour taste melted between his lips and teeth in a blink of an eye. Gu Song's heart turned soft, and he rubbed his cheek against the sideburn of the Youngest Master. "Thank you, Youngest Master… it's delicious."
Lu Qingshi arched his neck, found the most comfortable position, and wanted to withdraw his hand, but Go Song captured it, wrapping his five fingers around his palm.
After walking in the night wind for so long, the Youngest Master's fingers were already cold, but the palm of his hand still had a little faint warmth.
Gu Song warmed his hands while quickening his pace, and hurried back to the confinement room.
Lu Qingshi fell asleep in Gu Song's arms, and when he woke up, he was already lying on the bed in the confinement room.
No matter how good the facilities were in the confinement room, this was nowhere near as comfortable to sleep in as the Youngest Master's bed. Gu Song was afraid that he wouldn't be used to it, so he deliberately hugged his upper body into his arms and slowly patted him with one hand. Lu Qingshi opened his eyes and met the warm and tranquil surge at the bottom of his eyes.
"Youngest Master is awake? Was it uncomfortable to sleep?"
Gu Song adjusted his arm, lowered his head, and asked softly. Lu Qingshi shook his head and sat up. When he was just about to speak, his eyes were suddenly attracted by the changes outside the window.
The night was as deep as the velvet satin, and there was a very dazzling light.
The spot of light escaped, blooming quietly and silently. The stream of light overflowed silently, and the fine light rays spreading across the sky slowly rotated in the vast and distant night sky, forming a vortex of stars that seemed to swallow the darkness.
Gu Song looked up and followed his gaze.
Lu Qingshi suddenly forgot what he was going to say and quietly leaned on his shoulders, looking up at a strange scene in the night sky that he had never seen before.
The arms behind him slowly tightened, and under the broad and solid chest, the slight heartbeat suddenly became particularly obvious. Through the dependable chest, like a silent surge, his whole body was drowned in it.
"That's where I came from, Youngest Master."
Gu Song suddenly said, turning into a deep and soft voice. In the ears of the young man who just came of age, the gentle stirring of his voice was a source of infinite affection.
"It has disappeared. Thirteen years ago… it was destroyed by a big bang. All the stars, planets, and moons have turned into dust and have been floating there."
Lu Qingshi raised his head. Gu Song smiled to meet his gaze, lowered his head, and pressed a soft kiss on his lips. "Youngest Master, I used to be 13 light-years away from you."
The light traveled for thirteen years, presenting all this in the night sky of a distant alien galaxy.
The explosion that happened thirteen light-years away fell into people's eyes, everything in the distance had already ended in the dust.
But it was the beginning of his whole world.
Gu Song slowly tightened his arms, and the thought that had always been entrenched in his heart became clear again.
He was supposed to die in that galaxy explosion, but he managed to escape, wandering all the way, and was trafficked here as a slave.
The development of science and technology in the interstellar age was advancing leaps and bounds, and mankind had the ability to infinitely fold space and time through four-dimensional transitions. Speed no longer had the meaning of measurement, but the eternal speed of light still silently reminded him of his origin, and it also seemed to announce some kind of reincarnation that seemed to be doomed.
When Lu Jueming stopped mentioning that matter, it didn't mean that no one would consider it again. Since it could be discovered by the Ninth Prince, it meant that it was still working and planning, and there were people who were considering this matter or even preparing for it.
In the event of his end, it can also become a new beginning for his Youngest Master…
The damp and hot water fell between his fingers, and Gu Song's chest throbbed lightly, pulling away a little.
His Youngest Master was looking at him quietly, his chest rising and falling slowly. Tears gathered silently from his eyes, and large drops fell.
"What are you crying for, Youngest Master, this is my home ..."
Gu Song pulled up the corner of his mouth, raised his hand to wipe his tears, but Lu Qingshi held that hand, clenching hard. "I can get better ... if you mess up, I will be angry, very angry."
Lu Deng looked at him, breathing more and more sharply.
He had a way to get better, but he needed to wait until he was an adult before he could use it.
The elder brothers gave up this idea a long time ago. Only the father still refused to let go. Of course, he had a way to solve all this. Even the experience points to buy the world had already been prepared by the system, but he was afraid that Gu Song himself had the same plan(as his father).
There was no beginning and end to this sentence, but Gu Song understood what he was referring to in a blink of an eye. A deep guilty conscience surged in his heart, and he instinctively said, "Youngest Master——"
There was only enough time to call, Lu Qingshi had already bitten the flesh of his shoulder.
The Youngest Master didn't have much strength, but he bit so hard, his figure was already trembling. A muffled cough overflowed from his throat, but he refused to let it go. He bit him silently, his thin back stretched into a vague cramp.
Gu Song was afraid that it would hurt him and didn't dare to struggle. He could only use the other hand to hold him tight, helplessly and carefully patting him. "Youngest Master, do not rush, do not hurt yourself – you can't be too excited. Listen, I won't think blindly, no more … …Qingshi–"
He called out Lu Qingshi's name for the first time. His lips and teeth trembled lightly, as if chanting some kind of strange spell, and the sharp pain on his shoulders was suddenly gone.
Lu Qingshi collapsed into his arms, his chest rising and falling sharply, and his heartbeat hitting Gu Song's fingertips hard through his pale wrists. The light in his black eyes dimmed, and he suddenly reminded him of the deadly stardust.
Inside, Gu Song fought a cold war, shook his mind completely, and suddenly gave birth to boundless regret.
He thought of things in a very simple way.
He just thought his Youngest Master shouldn't have to stop and rest after walking only a few steps, he should be able to play around like ordinary boys. He thought of giving his body to the Youngest Master. The level of medicine in the interstellar era had been very advanced, there were ways to turn his body into the appearance of Lu Qingshi. There were even ways to extract these memories from Lu Qingshi's mind to seal them, leaving only a vague image, like a particularly detailed dream at some point.
He thought that would work.
He forgot how beautiful the smile on his lips was when his Youngest Master fell asleep in his arms.
There was a slight noise outside the door as if something was knocking on the door frame, and then there was a heavy noise and muffled sound characteristic of fighting. Gu Song's heart tightened, and he was already on guard when he got up. The cuffs were pinched by Lu Qingshi's fingertips. His movements couldn't help but pause, as the bright light flashed across his heart with horror.
He suddenly realized why his Youngest Master would rather drag such his frail body and ran over here.
He had always accompanied his Youngest Master, this was the only opportunity to speak to him alone. The ninth prince has just leaked everything to him at his own risk. Even without too much explanation, he could understand and cooperate with all the arrangements and processes ...
Lu Fanghai had an upright temperament, and he probably didn't know this at all, so he thought it was a protection for him. Lu Jueming and Lu Nanxing actually beat the second prince in public, and ten or so brothers also got involved, and they all were voluntarily imprisoned in cooperation. Now it seemed that all of this was to stop those who might come back to look for him.
No matter how reluctant they were on the surface, Lu Qingshi's older brothers were still helping him in their own way, taking punishment from their father and even being targeted by the royal family, in silence.
Just to make their youngest brother happy.
His self-confidence suddenly broke away with the thought he just had, Gu Song breathed lightly, lowered his head with blurry tears, and put his forehead against the cold forehead of his Youngest Master.
A hand touched the top of his head lightly, like a quiet moonlight gently falling, for fear of awakening the dreaming stars.
Gu Song trembled and raised his head in a daze.
The Youngest Master's eyes were red, teardrops still hanging on the thick long raven eyelashes, and his face was taut with unhappy cold hardness. As soon as he opened his mouth, he was interrupted by a stifled sob.
"It takes ten kisses… to get better."
The sweetness mixed with bitterness overflowed in his chest. Gu Song tried his best to blink away the mist under his eyes, smiled down, and leaned down to lovingly kiss the light-colored lips.
The door lock clicked, the closed heavy door was suddenly pushed open, and Lu Nanxing strode in. "Gu Song! You run quickly, I will explain to you later—"