He wandered back to Yuyang Palace in a daze. The back of his robes were soaked in a cold sweat, the damp fabric plastering itself against his clammy back and making him shiver.
"Little Master, what's wrong?" Xiao De's worried voice sound vague and muffled as though Yan Zheyun's ears were filled with cotton.
"I'm okay," Yan Zheyun muttered. He truly was, he just needed a bit of time to get over how daring he'd been just half an hour ago. Now that the adrenaline had worn off, a belated fear was creeping to grip him in its insidious claws.
What did the emperor think? Yan Zheyun was still alive, which was a promising sign, but the emperor hadn't invited him to return to the study with him after their short walk. Instead, he had neatened the ribbon fastening Yan Zheyun's cloak together before commenting on his frail health and gently dismissing him to return home for some rest. He hadn't scolded Yan Zheyun. More importantly, he hadn't answered Yan Zheyun's question.
