Prince Jing Mansion.
The door to the study was pushed open, letting in a gust of cold wind.
Xiao Chenglin, who was sitting behind his desk reading, coughed twice.
The door was quickly shut. The man glanced at the brazier, then immediately knelt.
"I was negligent. I forgot to have them add more charcoal before I left."
Xiao Chenglin waved his hand. The candlelight made the youth's delicate and handsome face appear even paler. The hint of illness in his features made him seem fragile and breakable, which was all the more captivating.
"It's nothing. I've grown used to it over the years."
Although he was a Prince, he was far from favored. Without the protection of his mother's clan and plagued by his own poor health, he had never lived a comfortable life.
Even charcoal was conserved whenever possible.
"How are things with Third Brother?" he asked, looking up. His eyes were as clear as glass beads, betraying no emotion. "I hear he's awake?"
