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Chapter Text

Hua Cheng’s stomach churned, making him so nauseous that he felt like he might spew at any given moment. He sat inside his private palanquin, silk curtains shielding him from the outside world and slightly obscuring his view of the large staircase that led up to the Wuyong Clan banquet hall. The night had arrived when the Ning Clan Lord would publicly meet his betrothed, and Lord Jun Wu would officially announce their engagement to the other clans.

They had met once a few months prior at Hua Cheng’s Paradise Manor in one of the several secluded gardens, where they sat mostly in silence. They were practically stared at by guards and their respective guardians, which hadn’t made for a great atmosphere for getting to know each other. The leaves rustled in the soft breeze, the air still somewhat chilled even though it was late spring.

His betrothed, His Highness of Wuyong Clan, Xie Lian, sat next to him in green and white robes with intricate gold crane-embroidered detailing. His dark hair was pulled back and adorned with a small gold hairpin. He even had a huadian in the shape of a five-petaled flower in the middle of his forehead, looking very put-together. 

Not even Hua Cheng could deny that the prince was gorgeous. He had only been shown paintings sent to him by Lord Jun Wu, but nothing compared to seeing him in person. 

The entire setup for this seemed so serious and uptight. Hua Cheng wanted to be able to converse perfectly, but knowing his luck, he might as well just start yelling at the prince to get it over with. As it was, he looked around the garden with a very bored expression on his face, spacing out entirely. 

When Xie Lian finally broke the silence between them, Hua Cheng was startled so badly out of his daze that he might as well have jumped into the trees above them. 

“... Your name is Hua Cheng, right?” The prince asked, his voice smooth and clear like a steadily running stream.

The lord had to adjust himself on the bench, clearing his throat. “That’s right.” He said curtly. 

Xie Lian paused, smiling. “It’s lovely.” He complimented. 

Hua Cheng glanced over at him. “Thank you for saying so. I designed many of these myself, actually. The flowers–” He began. 

“Oh, I meant your name, but…” The prince trailed off once he realized he had interrupted. “I-I’m sorry, continue.”

Hua Cheng didn’t, having to process that he had just been cut off. There was another long silence, and the trees rustled as if to fill the void in conversation. Nature seemed to feel just as awkward as the two young men. 

Xie Lian cleared his throat. “Do you enjoy the outdoors? You seem to put a lot of care into your gardens.”

“Mm. I enjoy creating peaceful sanctuaries far away from the bustle of people.” Hua Cheng said matter-a-factly. “It’s useful in my position.”

“... I see.” The prince said quietly. 

More silence. Did he say something wrong? The lord wasn’t good with one-on-one conversations, nor did he care to be, since everyone made assumptions about him before he even opened his mouth. However, he knew Yin Yu would pester him relentlessly if he didn’t put some semblance of effort into this. It wasn't like Hua Cheng could get out of marrying the prince, so he might as well talk to him at the very least. 

Unlike most people, Xie Lian seemed to be trying to cater to his interests. Even if the prince had interrupted him, it was likely an honest accident. 

Hua Cheng fidgeted. “... I simply believe we all need a quiet place to ourselves sometimes.” He said, hastily trying to save the conversation. 

Xie Lian’s shoulders seemed to relax a little when the lord said this, and Hua Cheng let out an inaudible sigh of relief. 

“I agree,” the prince said, smiling politely. “Do you have more gardens than this one?”

Huh. Nobody besides Yin Yu ever tried to continue a conversation about his interests, especially if said conversation had been interrupted in any way. Usually, people would use that as an opportunity to excuse themselves in haste. 

Hua Cheng leaned back on his hands in a more relaxed position, gazing up at the sky. “Mm. I have servants who plant and place everything, since my attendant might have my hide otherwise.” He said, chuckling. 

Xie Lian smiled. “Oh? Will I get to meet him?” He asked curiously. 

“He’s just over there.” Hua Cheng said, motioning with his hand to Lord Jun Wu and Yin Yu, who were still standing and talking a few paces away.

They were just out of earshot, but Yin Yu looked very bored with the entire thing. The middle-aged man continually glanced around the garden while Lord Jun Wu talked on and on. Hua Cheng couldn’t help but smile in amusement, knowing full well that Yin Yu despised niceties like this, but would do it if he must.

The prince leaned closer to the young lord. “The conversation must be absolutely riveting.” Xie Lian remarked, the air of sarcasm in his voice thick enough for Hua Cheng to pick up on, which was uncommon for the young lord. 

Hua Cheng smirked impishly. “Whatever could you mean? He loves this sort of thing. Can’t get enough of it.” He said, the two of them chuckling at that. 

The young lord found it odd that he got along so well with this person only after a few sentences. Normally, people would act completely spineless around him due to his mismatched eyes and notoriety for being vicious toward those who disrespected him. Despite everything, the prince seemed fearless compared to everyone else the lord had ever met. This intrigued him. 

Perhaps this would become something nice after all, a romantic relationship or not. 

Hua Cheng glanced back at Xie Lian, who had apparently been staring at him. His betrothed quickly straightened his posture and looked down at his lap, a light dusting of blush coating his cheeks. Hua Cheng’s mismatched eyes widened slightly. 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to stare.” The prince muttered nervously.

Hua Cheng hummed and flashed a foxy grin. “Not at all. … Does His Highness find me interesting to look at?” He asked, testing if he could get the prince to blush even harder. 

As Xie Lian returned his gaze again, something seemed to change in his eyes for only a moment. 

“I–I just– Why–” Xie Lian started, his face indeed becoming redder. 

Before the prince could finish, Lord Jun Wu and Yin Yu approached the two. Xie Lian quickly returned to staring at his hands, which were folded on his lap. Hua Cheng straightened his posture leisurely, looking up at the other lord. 

Jun Wu was exceptionally tall, but if he were taller than Hua Cheng, it was negligible at best. He only seemed it because of the lavish headpieces he always insisted on wearing to quarterly clan meetings, and even now. His long black hair had streaks of gray that showed his age. If he had bothered to dye it, he might have looked the same age as Hua Cheng or Xie Lian. 

It was odd to think about, and the Ning Clan lord pushed the observation to the back of his mind. Either way, this guy annoyed him whenever he was around, though Hua Cheng couldn’t place why. All he knew was that simply his presence disgusted him, and that was reason enough for the lord to avoid him whenever possible. 

Lord Jun Wu nodded once at Xie Lian, not saying anything to him. His betrothed stood very quickly and tripped on his white robes in the process. Hua Cheng’s body reacted before he could think, kneeling down and gently grasping Xie Lian by the hand, preventing him from falling face-first into the grass. 

Xie Lian quickly looked up, and the two gazed at each other, the gold hairpin now somewhat lopsided. “ Cute, ” Hua Cheng thought. 

However, this only lasted a moment before Xie Lian swiftly snatched his hand away and stood up, darting to Lord Jun Wu’s side. The prince fidgeted with his hairpin and looked away, whether from embarrassment or anxiety, Hua Cheng didn’t know. 

The young lord stood slowly, the spring dew from the grass uncomfortably dampening the crimson fabric of his robes. He gazed at the Lord of Wuyong, who waited until their level eyes met to nod respectfully, and Hua Cheng reciprocated. Fucking creep.

“I believe it is time that we take our leave. Thank you for taking time out of your day, Lord Hua Cheng.” Jun Wu said, with a nauseatingly haughty air about him as per usual.

“Not at all. It was my pleasure , Lord Jun Wu.” Hua Cheng obliged, smiling politely. He practically gritted his teeth in displeasure, trying not to gag. 

Lord Jun Wu smiled and turned to leave with their attendants, Xie Lian following quickly behind him. 

Hua Cheng watched them leave, waiting several moments before blinking and shaking his head in discomfort. He hated eye contact— it always left a sour feeling in his stomach, as if he had eaten something rotten. Not to mention that Jun Wu always seemed to insist on it from him. Making him feel patronized in the worst way, he bit his lip in frustration. 

Yin Yu stepped forward, close enough to speak quietly, but far enough that the young master did not feel suffocated. “My lord, are you alright?” He asked quietly. 

As much as he appreciated Yin Yu’s constant and clear attention to his emotional state, it was not helping at the moment. He buried his face in his hands. “That was horrendous.” Hua Cheng groaned.

“My very one-sided conversation with Lord Jun Wu? Absolutely. You two lovebirds, on the other hand…” Yin Yu teased. 

His attendant always tried to make it very obvious when he was messing around. Hua Cheng took his hands away from his face and sat on the bench again. 

“I upset him,” Hua Cheng insisted, as if it were the most heinous crime on the face of the earth. “Did you see how he ran back to that– that imbecile, after I simply took his hand?”

Yin Yu hummed pensively. “Perhaps he is shy, just like you. How would you react if a powerful, mysterious lord that you barely knew took your hand all of a sudden?” He replied, smiling. 

Hua Cheng snorted at such a ridiculous notion. Even if he was powerful, he wasn’t mysterious, it was just that nobody had the balls to talk to him anyway. He certainly didn’t possess ethereal beauty like Xie Lian did. He saw no reason why his betrothed should be nervous around him, unless he saw him as disgusting. It wouldn’t be the first time someone felt that way. 

“That’s fucking ridiculous.” Hua Cheng snapped as he paced. “He’s the prince of the richest clan leader, and probably wishes that he got betrothed to someone else, that, oh , I don’t know— doesn’t look like a monster?” 

There was a pause, and Hua Cheng sighed. “... I just want to be worthy of His Highness.” He said dejectedly.

“Goodness, is the young master head-over-heels already? I thought he said he had no interest in this sort of thing.” Yin Yu mused. 

“His Highness is different.” Hua Cheng had insisted hastily. 

“Certainly, my lord.” Yin Yu teased. 

Sitting in the palanquin, the young lord was wondering about that himself. Even in the entire year since he had become of age, he had not jumped at the opportunity to explore with other people as young men were expected to. Was the refrain from disgust for normal activities expected of people his age, or out of respect for the engagement? Why was he so nervous around him in particular? Was it the basic kindness that he had only been shown by a select few people in his life? 

Too many questions and not enough answers. Hua Cheng groaned quietly, and a familiar voice gently brought him out of his head. “My lord?” 

He opened his eyes and glanced through the red silk curtains. Yin Yu’s face was slightly obscured through the sheer fabric. 

“Young master, it’s been almost one incense time. Come on– the other clans are waiting on us.” Yin Yu said, his voice barely above a harsh whisper. 

The young lord sighed. Sitting in here would not keep the rest of the world out, nor would it stop the festivities that he was being forced to partake in from continuing. Hua Cheng took a breath, steeled himself, and gently pushed back the red silk of the palanquin.

After traversing up the seemingly endless staircase lined with red glowing paper lanterns and stepping past the threshold of the giant doors, the Ning Clan leader and his attendant finally entered the large banquet hall.

All the clans were celebrating the Qixi Festival. Each year, the lords, ladies, and their respective partners would dress in their finest and gather in one place to celebrate romantic love, as well as the now 20 years of peace since the clan system had been re-established. This year, the banquet was held in the Wuyong Clan. 

It seemed like these two truly had been the last to take their places, as the banquet hall was at near capacity with clan officials and their honored guests. Loud and jovial conversations echoed and bounced off the expansive walls of the hall— Hua Cheng was tempted to cover his ears already. This was a terrible start. 

Keeping his gaze up amidst his discomfort, he happened to glance at the raised platform at the end of the room. There were three seats just behind a table— Jun Wu sat in the middle, wearing jade-green robes with golden ceremonial armour, an empty seat to his right, and a familiar, beautiful young man sat in the chair on his left.

Hua Cheng felt his breath catch in his throat. Xie Lian wore pure white robes with a large crimson belt and sash. His hair was put up in the same way as when they met in the garden, this time adorned with a larger and much more intricate, flowery gold and jade hairpiece. 

That same huadian was on his forehead as it had been months ago. Was it a tattoo? 

A gentle nudge from his attendant brought him out of this trance, and he glanced at Yin Yu, who had that unmistakable glint in his eye. Hua Cheng sighed— there would never be a moment when he would be free from his attendant’s relentless teasing.

As they stepped up to the platform, they bowed respectfully to their hosts. Hua Cheng’s gaze flitted up to his betrothed, and their eyes met momentarily. Xie Lian’s eyes were like amber, the color of freshly harvested honey in the summertime and exceedingly beautiful, just like the rest of his appearance. 

Hua Cheng felt his face burn, and he hastily looked away before standing up again. He made his way to the table just beside the platform to take his seat, chewing on his bottom lip nervously. Why was he acting this way?

Just as they sat down, Lord Jun Wu stood, and the entire banquet hall went quiet. He addressed every guest in a booming voice, one that exuded power in every aspect.

“My friends and allies, we gather here to celebrate the Qixi Festival. The full moon is shining its pure, silvery light on us all, bringing prosperity and strength to our romantic endeavours, both present and future.” Jun Wu said. 

The hall remained silent. Normally, after this short address, lords would announce the banquet beginning, as well as the entertainment that followed. However, Hua Cheng knew why this time was different. He took a deep, quiet breath and prepared himself for what came next. 

“I must take this time to announce something that has been in the making for a long time. My son, Xie Lian, has been of marrying age. However, as per official agreement, he will take Lord Hua Cheng to be his husband.” Jun Wu announced, not taking his eyes off the crowd of people. 

That was the cue. Hua Cheng and Yin Yu stood once more, but this was purely out of respect— the young lord knew he must go up there alone. The silence was oppressive as he stepped onto the platform once more, looking up to see that Xie Lian had stood as well. The prince was almost an entire head shorter than Hua Cheng, which made the young lord’s stomach flutter. 

Slowly reaching out, he kept his pale palm up for his betrothed to take. As their palms connected, he noticed that Xie Lian’s hand was warm and soft but certainly not dainty. Hua Cheng did not have more time to observe any other details as he turned to stand before the banquet hall. 

All eyes were on them, and the collective gaze of everyone in the room felt like rays of fire burning holes into his soul. He despised everything about being in front of a crowd of people like this. He clenched his free fist that rested at the base of his back out of nerves. Simultaneously, Xie Lian’s fingers twitched. Had the prince noticed his moment of weakness? 

There was no time for him to feel embarrassed. “The wedding will take place in late autumn, on the 23rd day before the Dongzhi festival, just as the frost begins to paint the mountains in the west. Let us congratulate this beautiful engagement.” Jun Wu concluded, placing his hands together. 

Applause filled the room, and Hua Cheng clenched his jaw, gritting his teeth. Sharp noises bounced off the walls, nearly akin to the snapping and popping of fireworks. Voices had already been overwhelming, but clapping was a whole other beast. 

Despite this, he remained steeled— a trained mask that kept him safe from further judgment and scrutiny. 

The two young men stayed there for a moment and gazed over the crowd, bowing slightly. Then, just as quickly as it had begun, it was over. Xie Lian slipped his hand from Hua Cheng’s and moved to sit back down. Hua Cheng did the same, his stomach churning again.

Yin Yu’s gaze flicked toward him as he sat, silently checking on the young lord. Glancing back, he nodded in reassurance. This kind of nonverbal communication was invaluable, especially when Hua Cheng found himself unable to speak either due to nerves or timing. 

His attendant smiled just as the music started playing. The banquet had truly begun. Aromatic spices filled the room, and the delighted chattering of the guests carried on. 

This was the only part of these events that made it worth the overstimulation, not because of the food, but because the other attendees would be so focused on the people around them that nobody would pay any attention to him. Several dishes were brought out and set on the table. He let out a quiet sigh to calm his nerves and began to eat. 

Hua Cheng must have been too busy focusing on what was before him to notice that someone had approached. 

“... Lord Hua Cheng?” Said a familiar soft, neutral voice. 

This certainly brought him out of his daze. Hua Cheng’s body jolted in surprise, and he very quickly wiped remnants of crispy jiandui from the corner of his mouth before turning his gaze upward. Xie Lian looked down at him, his gaze gentle and… a little coquettish? 

The young lord convinced himself that he must have been mistaken. Hua Cheng cleared his throat and stood. He suddenly realized that because he was almost an entire head taller, Hua Cheng had to look down to meet the gaze of the prince who stood before him. That certainly did things to him that he hadn’t expected . 

“W-What can I do for you?” Hua Cheng stuttered, mentally kicking himself for being such a mess.

“I was wondering if you would like to walk with me outside. There’s something I would like to show you.” Xie Lian said, not seeming to notice the awkwardness.

Hua Cheng paused, processing what his new fiancé was asking. In all honesty, he would rather be doing almost anything else than sit in a loud banquet hall. 

Glancing down at Yin Yu, his attendant had an expression that purely stated, “ Don’t look at me! ”, and he understood that the man would be of zero help in this decision.

Hua Cheng turned back to Xie Lian and smiled. “Of course. Lead the way.”

This time, the lord held out his hand palm down. Xie Lian seemed to freeze for a moment. He eventually took Hua Cheng’s offer, leading him to a pair of open doors on the side of the banquet hall. 

As they walked, two attendants began to follow them. This was not surprising to Hua Cheng in the slightest. They were an engaged couple on a moonlit night walking together— they would not be permitted to be alone. 

Hua Cheng looked forward to when he could get to know his future husband one-on-one, without outside interference. He might be less likely to embarrass himself, but that was most likely wishful thinking. 

The night was warm and slightly humid, but not uncomfortably so. Lanterns hung on nearly invisible strings around the garden’s borders, the light casting a gentle, orange glow across the dewy grass and other various flora kept here. 

Xie Lian continued to lead him until they came to a small pond, bordered with smooth rocks and tall grass-like reeds. His fiancé slipped his hand away and walked toward the pond, standing at the edge and looking down into the water. 

The surface of the pond stirred. Hua Cheng took a few steps forward and stood by the prince’s side, glancing down. Shimmering scales caught the lantern light just beneath the ripples, reds and whites shining like pearls. 

Xie Lian reached into his sleeve and brought out a small, white cotton drawstring pouch. As he opened it slowly, the fish beneath the water's surface gathered into one big, moving heap, causing the pond to ripple much more than before. 

Hua Cheng watched closely as Xie Lian took a small handful from the bag and tossed it into the water. The fish went wild, tumbling and fighting each other for a meager chance at some scraps of food. 

Hua Cheng chuckled. “They seem very excitable.”

“Each of them seems to have a distinct personality. It’s truly fascinating.” Xie Lian said, his eyes wrinkling in a smile. He glanced with those amber eyes at Hua Cheng, holding the pouch out to him as an offering.

Hua Cheng’s eyes widened for a moment before wrinkling as he smiled. He accepted the pouch and tried to follow the graceful movements that his fiancé had demonstrated. But, of course, this was when Hua Cheng’s clumsiness decided to curse him.

Fingers fumbling, he managed to let the pouch slip from his hands. He instinctively leaned forward to grab it before it could fall into the water. Before he could catch himself, Hua Cheng lost his balance. 

“Hua Cheng–!” Xie Lian cried out. He grasped Hua Cheng by the silver vambrace on his wrist and pulled backwards so hard that the young lord lost his balance in the opposite direction, and the prince went tumbling down with him. 

The only sound for a moment was the aggressive splashing of the water behind them as the fish went wild from the surplus of food. The lord couldn’t decide if he was just as lucky or unlucky in this case. 

Hua Cheng’s chest was tight— he couldn’t breathe. He could only stare with mismatched eyes as his future husband inadvertently pinned him to the ground. Pale hands were planted on either side of Hua Cheng’s head, and the prince’s knees were on either side of the lord’s hips, making for a very inappropriate position. 

Both their faces were redder than the horizon at sunset. 

Xie Lian’s lips were parted in shock, his expression purely mortified, but he didn’t move. “I… I…” the prince started, seemingly unable to formulate a sentence past that one letter. 

Before Hua Cheng could respond, attendants rushed over to help the two of them up. Xie Lian was pulled off the crimson-clad lord, who remained frozen and wide-eyed on the grass. 

One of the attendants, who wore his dark hair in a high ponytail similar to Hua Cheng, reached out a hand and pulled the young lord to his feet. 

“Are you alright?” The attendant asked flatly. 

Anyone else might have noticed that the attendant hadn’t bothered to use any honorifics, and punished him right then and there. However, Hua Cheng was in a bit of a daze and nodded in response to the inquiry. 

The attendant helped him to a bench nearby, running back over to the squabbling happening somewhere outside the lord’s field of vision. His mind swam with endless thoughts about what the fuck just happened. 

What on earth was that all about? Why was his heart racing? Why hadn’t he pushed him off? What the actual fuck was happening?!

Hua Cheng glanced over and saw that the two attendants were fussing over Xie Lian. The prince stood with his back towards the lord, looking thoroughly mortified. Was he being berated?

“Please– don’t worry, it was not his fault. It was an accident.” Hua Cheng reassured quietly. 

The three looked over at him. “He was trying to ensure I didn’t fall into the pond. He was not trying to attack me.” Hua Cheng explained flatly.

The attendants looked at Xie Lian, Hua Cheng, and then at each other. Once he was finished, the other attendant, who wore his brown hair in a top knot, spoke first. “But–” He couldn’t even finish before the young lord cut him off. 

“Must I repeat myself a second time?” Hua Cheng snapped, his voice icy. He hardly ever had to use this tone with anyone, because nobody usually dared talk back to him like that. 

The attendant shut his mouth tight, averting his gaze in shame. Sounds of distant merriment carried over the awkward scene.

Xie Lian was the first to speak up, sounding incredibly embarrassed, “Feng Xin– Mu Qing– Please leave. Send someone else.” He said. 

The one with the top knot, Feng Xin, opened his mouth again to protest, but Xie Lian swiftly cut him off.  “Did you not just learn your lesson? Go !” The prince insisted, hissing the order under his breath. 

The two attendants bowed and scurried off, bickering and swearing at each other in hushed tones. Hua Cheng couldn’t help but crack a smile and start laughing. 

Xie Lian whipped around, his face still just as red as it was before. “What’s so funny?” He pouted.

“Oh wow– I haven’t told anyone off like that in a while. Thank you for that.” Hua Cheng said, voice laced with mirth.

“ Didi , that was so embarrassing!” Xie Lian said and then promptly froze, his eyes bulging. 

The lord’s laughter caught in his throat, completely taken aback. Xie Lian’s hands flew up to his mouth, looking like he could pass out from how red his face was. 

The two stared at each other for a moment in complete silence. Hua Cheng raised an eyebrow and took a step forward. He opened his mouth to speak, but Xie Lian turned on his heel to run in the opposite direction. 

Darting forward, the young lord gently grasped his fiancé’s hand to stop him. “Wait– It’s alright. Don’t go.” Hua Cheng pleaded. 

Xie Lian could have very easily jerked his hand away or left at any point. The prince met his gaze for only a moment and then looked down, his eyes pricked with embarrassed tears. Hua Cheng gave a sympathetic smile and stood up tall, gazing at the small details of his fiancé’s face rather than meeting his eyes. 

“Xie Lian… right?” Hua Cheng asked quietly.

“... That’s right.” Xie Lian mumbled. 

The lord nodded, noticing that the other was not trying to force eye contact. “... If His Highness wishes to call me that, I do not object.” Hua Cheng said, his mouth twitching upward, “However, one does not usually call someone ‘didi’ unless they have been thinking of them.”

Xie Lian started, looking up with eyes wide and apologetic, “Lord Hua Cheng, forgive me–”

Hua Cheng cut him off. “No. None of that. His Highness may call me… San Lang. Or didi, if he prefers.” 

Xie Lian glanced down shyly at the teasing. Hua Cheng chuckled.

“There are many things I can share about myself, but… I would also like to know about you.” The lord said softly.

“I mean… San Lang saw how that went. He almost went into the water.” Xie Lian pointed out. 

Hua Cheng let out a snort, then blushed and averted his gaze. His fiancé’s eyes darted back to his face, and he giggled.

“What’s so funny?” Hua Cheng asked in turn, catching a glimpse of his husband’s mirthful grin.

“Nothing. I just didn’t think San Lang could be cuter than he already is.” Xie Lian teased. 

This was Hua Cheng’s endearing term quota for the evening. Heat rose to his cheeks, and he looked away for the thousandth time this evening. The prince acted so politely most of the time, but who knew he could act so coy! It seemed that the young lord would have to get used to taking what he would dish out. 

Xie Lian laughed and squeezed Hua Cheng’s hand gently. “Well, this one has too many names for San Lang now. What would my fiancé like to call me?” He asked. 

The young lord’s stomach did a weird flip at the title, but he tried to think about it. Just as more attendants came rushing around the bushes, he thought of one.

Reluctantly, he pulled away from him and the two men stood to face the other attendants, who looked like they’d run several laps around the banquet hall with how they were huffing and puffing. 

One attendant stepped in front of the group, bowing respectfully. “My lord! Your Highness! We heard what happened– are you alright?” He asked. 

Hua Cheng glanced at Xie Lian, then back at the attendants. “There is nothing to worry about. We’re both just fine.” The lord said flatly. 

Relief spread through the group like cool rain on a summer’s day. The corner of the young lord’s mouth twitched upward. “However… I would like to know who His Highness’ training instructor is. He is quite strong. Perhaps I have something I need to learn.” Hua Cheng said, his eyes gleaming playfully. 

The attendants looked confused for a moment, but the spark of realization spread faster than wildfire once it caught. Hua Cheng glanced at Xie Lian, who looked very proud and shy at the same time. The lord looked forward to observing more of those complicated little expressions in the future.

“We would be happy to introduce you, Lord Hua Cheng. In fact, he is attending the banquet this very evening. His name is Feng Xin.” The attendant said. 

The memory of the loud-mouthed attendant from moments before returned to him. Hua Cheng sighed in annoyance. “... Delightful.” He said insincerely. “I look forward to our future conversations, assuming he’s able to properly obey his superiors.”

This was a comment none of them knew how to react to, except for Xie Lian. Hua Cheng glanced over, observing his fiancé’s attempt to stifle a full laugh, a small giggle still managing to slip past his lips. 

The two had not spent much time together, but the young lord of the Ning Clan was beginning to see small windows into his fiancé’s personality, all of which he was enjoying so far. 

Holding out his hand to him, Hua Cheng smiled. “Gege, shall we keep walking?” He asked, his voice softening. Xie Lian's eyes widened, and he blushed furiously. The lord simply laughed, trying his best to keep an air of confidence despite how fuzzy he felt.

The two spent the rest of the evening chatting about poetry, their favorite weapons, amidst other things. This group of attendants were much less bothersome, which Hua Cheng appreciated. 

Laughter from the edge of the garden could be heard from the side door of the banquet hall where the Lord of Wuyong stood, silently watching and listening.

Chapter Text

— In the past

The imperial capital of Xianle burned brighter than any midsummer sunrise. Anguished screams carried over the hills like an insane, dissonant symphony. For the orchestrator, a masked shell of a man in all white was his greatest masterpiece that came to fruition.

Long white robes and starkly black hair thrashed wildly in the howling mountain winds.

It was done. It was finally done.

Excited shivers coursed through his body, and a wide grin spread underneath the already smiling mask. His entire body shook as a crazed laugh shot out from the depths of his soul, the nearly fifty-year release of revenge consuming his mind.

The ghost could practically envision the people under the influence of the flower scurrying around like panicked prey, unknowingly quickening their demise— barrelling straight into the beast's maw.

How dare these scum live their lives like they had done nothing wrong, like they were completely benevolent beings deserving of all this glory! After everything they had done to him, taken from him, they deserved worse than complete and utter eradication.

That spoiled wretch of a king deserved to be tormented in hell for eternity.

Fingers wrapping around the cool clay, the ghost of a man slipped the mask from his face and closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath of the haze, the scent of burning buildings and flesh filled a void in his soul that had long been etched by some heinous act.

Perhaps Xie Xiaozhen’s body was among the corpses, finally one with his people, like he had always dreamed. After death, there was no hierarchy— only soil and worms.

The ghost vowed that the Empire of Xianle would only be remembered as a tyrannical state, ruled by an equally oppressive king and his hoarded riches.

If only Xie Xiaozhen had listened, that royal bloodline would have been preserved. As it was, it had been dirtied by that wretched Liu Aibing, who only had a chance because they were good with a sword and had practically not a single drop of noble blood.

It hadn’t been fair. Scores needed to be settled, and so they were— through bloodshed and flames, creating the perfect environment for a horrible, vengeful phoenix to rise from the ashes of genocide.

Now, all he had to do was find that child. Shouldn’t be too difficult.

— In the present

The day that the Ning Clan lord had received his first letter from the prince was like any other day— boring and filled to the brim with paperwork.

Hua Cheng sat at a low table, rolling the silvery earrings he would never leave his chambers without between the two pads of his fingers leisurely. A large stack of merchant applications lay in front of him, all waiting to be read and signed. The young lord knew he should finish these, but if he didn’t care, why should he waste his time on them?

It was partially because he knew Yin Yu would pester him if he didn’t, and the traveling merchants would arrive here anyway, then they would try to sell their goods without a proper permit. This would lead to scams, business abuse, and much worse things.

Then, Hua Cheng would have to go down to the port and break up the operation, reminding everyone who was really in charge of Silver City.

The young lord smirked at the thought. He would much prefer to deal with trash head-on than have to read a lengthy address that was all just bullshit groveling and beating around the bush— his main pet peeves. Perhaps if he could talk about this with someone, he might be more willing to finish the tasks. But who would want to do that?

Just then, there was a knock on the door. His hands dropped from his ears and into his lap. “Enter,” Hua Cheng said noncommittally. The doors opened, and Yin Yu walked in, bowing respectfully.

“There’s a letter for you, my lord.” The attendant said, holding out a small scroll.

“Just toss it in the pile with the others.” Hua Cheng said, waving his hand toward a basket of torn-up scrolls and parchment.

Yin Yu shook his head. “I advise against that, young master.”

Hua Cheng raised an eyebrow. “Why’s that?” He asked, curiosity piqued.

“It’s from His Highness, Xie Lian.” Yin Yu said, the corners of his mouth lifting in a knowing smirk.

Hua Cheng’s mismatched eyes widened. The lord stood quickly, strode over to his attendant, and snatched the scroll out of his hands. Yin Yu failed to fight down a laugh, and the red-clad man whipped his head around to glare at him. The attendant coughed into his fist, averting his gaze. “My deepest apologies, young master.” Yin Yu said, hastily.

Hua Cheng rolled his eyes at the insincerity, but managed to quickly forget about the attendant. Carefully unrolling the scroll, he immediately noticed how beautifully written the characters were. Was there anything His Highness was not great at?

The message read:

“Lord Hua Cheng—

I hope this message finds you well.

I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind if I visited Paradise Manor for a few days with two attendants of mine. Getting to see somewhere that’s not within the Wuyong Clan was incredible. Furthermore, the idea that we should have to marry before spending hardly any time together is ridiculous. If anything else, I believe that spouses should at least be friends.

If My Lord is worried about gossip, let them talk. I do not mind.

Please consider it. I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely…”

“Xie Lian…” Hua Cheng finished mumbling the letter out loud, savoring the name of the prince on his tongue as he paced. Some part of him found that name familiar, but he couldn’t quite place it at the moment amidst his shock. 

He had never received a message like this before, never had anyone asked to spend time with him. It had always been out of obligation or fear.

The lord’s heart raced in a way that made his cheeks hot and his stomach flutter strangely— he wasn’t sure if he liked it.

Yin Yu chuckled. Hua Cheng abruptly ceased his pacing and glanced at his attendant, raising an eyebrow.

“Well? How will the young master respond?” The attendant asked.

Hua Cheng sighed indignantly, rolling up the scroll. Normally, the lord would crumple up every piece of correspondence he received. This was different.

“How am I supposed to fucking respond?!” Hua Cheng said, flourishing his arms dramatically. “He’s probably coming to make fun of me somehow. I won’t allow it.”

“Hmm…” Yin Yu mused.

Hua Cheng couldn’t help but glance over in curiosity. “What? Spit it out.” He demanded.

“Do you really think His Highness would do something like that? Young master, if the prince truly wanted to make fun, he would have done so already.” Yin Yu concluded.

Hua Cheng turned his back to Yin Yu, biting his bottom lip thoughtfully. The attendant made a good point— the prince had made no effort to make the Ning Clan lord feel insecure or uncomfortable. It was like he wanted to do anything but that.

Fidgeting with his fingers nervously, the lord sighed in defeat. “Fine. Please write a response.” Hua Cheng said.

“Oh, but young master, don’t you think you should be the one to write it?” Yin Yu asked mischievously. “Your calligraphy has been improving greatly.”

Hua Cheng’s stomach dropped, and his mismatched eyes widened. He would rather finish a never-ending stack of paperwork than have the prince find out how terrible his handwriting was.

“Absolutely not. I will not scorch His Highness’ eyes like that.” Hua Cheng said, shaking his head adamantly.

“So dramatic… He’ll find out eventually, you know.” The attendant said, his face remaining neutral all the while.

“Enough, Yin Yu.” Hua Cheng snapped.

The young lord hardly ever used the attendant’s name directly, unless he was very done with everything. Yin Yu backed off, nodding once. “My apologies, young master. This one will write up a response right away.” He said, bowing and leaving the room.

Hua Cheng immediately began to pace once more, smoothing his inky-black hair against his scalp with his hands. What now?!

If someone were watching the room from afar, one might have thought that Hua Cheng never stopped pacing even as the day of Xie Lian’s arrival approached. It might as well have been the truth— the young lord had not slept much these past few days, and had practically burned a hole into the ornate rugs.

Since he had eaten breakfast, Hua Cheng continued to pace in the large greeting hall in front of the large jade divan at the head of the room. His legs ached, and his feet were crying from the constant movement. Anxious thoughts rushed through his mind like a raging current.

Yin Yu stood off to the side, his eyebrows knit together in worry as he watched the young man in such a distraught state.

“When will His Highness arrive now again?” Hua Cheng asked for the fifth time in the last shichen as he strode back and forth.

“... Anytime now, my lord.” Yin Yu replied quietly.

Hua Cheng groaned quietly. The anticipation was eating him alive, worse than mosquitoes in a sweltering summer. He ran his thumb over the intricate silver hairpiece at the base of his long, high ponytail anxiously. Normally, feeling the texture of the engravings sliding underneath the pad of his fingers would help, but this seemed to be a different case entirely. He was hopeless.

The attendant strode up to Hua Cheng and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, forcing him to stop.

“Young master, please calm down.” Yin Yu implored.

“How am I supposed to be calm? I’ve never dealt with something like this before!” Hua Cheng bemoaned. He resisted the urge to bite his thumbnail.

“Since when should the unknown ever stop you?” Yin Yu asked, exasperatedly. “You are Lord Hua Cheng of the Ning Clan. The residents of Silver City respect you, and your enemies fear you, although you are not even twenty years of age.”

Hua Cheng sighed, and his shoulders drooped. “My reputation will do nothing here. His Highness already knows all of that, probably some of the gossip too. For some fucking reason, he still asked to come here.” He said.

“So why the fuss? Young master, I raised you to be a man of many talents and skills. Show the prince what you have to offer, rather than what picture malicious gossip paints of you.” Yin Yu concluded, gripping Hua Cheng’s shoulder gently in comfort.

“I have seen you up against much worse. This should hardly pose a challenge,” Yin Yu sighed. “Be yourself– have fun. Or does the young master not know what that is anymore?” He said, a playful twinkle in his eye. 

Hua Cheng snorted and rolled his shoulder out of Yin Yu’s grip slowly. “Thanks.” He said, the corners of his mouth twitching upward.

Yin Yu nodded his head respectfully, just as the doors suddenly opened. Hua Cheng’s breath caught in his throat, and he placed his hands behind his back. He gripped his silver vambraces tightly, trying to focus on the coolness of the metal. 

Taking a deep breath, the young lord steeled himself as several black-clad servants lined up along the sides of the room. Each individual held small cherry wood chests with golden clasps. Gifts, no doubt.

A familiar-looking attendant stepped through the threshold, his expression hardened in an almost permanent scowl. Hua Cheng swore he looked familiar, but could not place that face, no matter how hard he tried.

“Presenting His Highness, Xie Lian.” The attendant stated, his tone flat enough to sound sour.

Hua Cheng raised an eyebrow at that. If someone like this could be in His Highness’ good graces, maybe he had a chance. However, the lord could be upset about that later.

Mismatched eyes flitted up at flowing movement: white and gold robes came into view as the prince rounded the corner, gracefully stepping into the middle of the greeting hall as the sour attendant stepped aside.

The prince looked up, meeting Hua Cheng’s gaze with those intense, yet soft, amber eyes. The young lord almost forgot to bow respectfully in greeting from how stiff his entire body had become over the course of a few moments. 

Rising in unison, they stared at each other.

The prince smiled. “San Lang, it’s good to see you. I trust you’ve been well?” Xie Lian greeted.

Hua Cheng could feel his heart melt, and he felt utterly ridiculous. Just a few kind words, and he was wrapped around this man’s finger?! He had to get him back for that.

The young lord nodded, smiling coyly. “Oh yes, very well. However… I didn’t think gege would want to visit this one. He surprised me with his message.”

Gotcha. Light blush crept up the prince’s cheeks, making Hua Cheng’s stomach flutter as he took a few steps forward and stopped with a few paces in between them. It might have seemed inappropriate to use such casual language for the prince, but he didn’t care. 

“A-Ah, well, I didn’t want to impose.” Xie Lian said, clearing his throat, “I brought gifts. I hope you like them.”

As if that were the cue, the servants who stood lined up around the room unclasped the small chests, revealing several treasures of around the same value, but all vastly different in appearance: precious gems, several small bottles of rare rice wine, and the like.

Hua Cheng couldn’t help but feel like everything was all a little too different from each other— it was almost odd, like the prince had been unable to decide what to get. Had His Highness simply grabbed randomly and thrown them all together?

The lord chuckled at this before he could stop himself, coughing once. He glanced up and met the prince’s wide-eyed, expectant gaze. For the first time in his life, Hua Cheng found himself caring if he was rude to a guest in his residence. How peculiar.

He simply smiled, intentionally flashing his pearly whites and one silver fang. “Gege is so thoughtful. However, he didn’t need to bring so much.” Hua Cheng teased.

The prince seemed unbothered by it, simply leaning forward ever so slightly. “They’re just some of the engagement gifts. I thought I might as well, since I was coming all this way to see San Lang.” Xie Lian said, eyes glinting.

He was catching on. Hua Cheng’s heart pounded in his ears at how fast the prince was able to match his energy. Along with his blood-red eye and when the silver cap was exposed, most people would cower at his appearance. But clearly, His Highness was not most people.

There was a pause as the two men gazed at each other. The attendant who had announced Xie Lian coughed quietly into his hand. Hua Cheng’s gaze darted to the side to look at him, and the almost willowy man looked down at the floor, discomfort radiating off of him.

He finally recognized him as the other attendant who was with that annoying, back-talking bodyguard, Feng Xin. As far as the lord had seen, he was certainly less irritating than the other one had been that night. Now, what was his name…

The prince answered his question.“Mu Qing, do you have something caught in your throat? Are you alright?” Xie Lian asked, his eyebrows wrinkling in concern.

“N-No, Your Highness. Thank you, but I’m fine.” Mu Qing said, his tone just as unpleasant and insincere as ever.

Interesting. He glanced back at Yin Yu, who remained standing where the young lord had left him earlier. The attendant nodded at him in acknowledgment.

“Yin Yu, please find a nice place for His Highness’s gifts. I want to look through them later.” Hua Cheng said, relishing in the excited gleam in the prince’s eyes. “Gege, your attendants can go with him if you would like.”

Hua Cheng was hopeful for some alone time, where, at least if he embarrassed himself, he would not have an audience. The prince smiled, that gorgeous blush still dusting his cheeks at the new pet name, no doubt. “They can go wherever they choose. Though it might be best if we remain chaperoned.” Xie Lian said, glancing down at the floor.

Ah, right. Hua Cheng felt his spirits go down as his fiancé reminded him of how uncouth it might have looked had they been alone together before the ceremony. Not that he had been planning anything nefarious, of course.

He nodded. “Alright. What do you wish to do?” The young lord asked.

“What does San Lang wish to show me?” The prince asked, grinning.

Oh, that did it.

✧

The sun shone through the leaves, and the light dappled onto the green grass below. A light breeze swept through the garden as the prince and the lord’s eyes were locked. Their stances were wide and at the ready, arms up but swords remaining sheathed. The prince had slipped off one of the outer layers of his robes so that he could move more freely, and the young lord did his best not to gawk when he had done so.

Now, the layer was folded neatly next to the two attendants. Xie Lian’s robes looked quite plain, besides the golden hairpiece still fastened in his topknot. This change did not remove any ounce of his handsomeness; his skin was still as flawless as the finest cut of jade. 

Mu Qing and Feng Xin stood exactly three paces away from each other, watching the two men anxiously side-by-side. Hua Cheng wished they didn’t have to be there, but perhaps this might be the only way that he could prove that he would never put Xie Lian in danger.

“Is gege scared?” Hua Cheng asked.

“... No.” The prince said.

Hua Cheng chuckled. “Good. He shouldn’t be.” 

Anyone else might read this as a threat. However, His Highness didn’t seem the least bit nervous. If anything, this seemed to make those amber eyes blaze brighter with excitement. If the prince could handle Hua Cheng’s monstrous appearance, then he could certainly handle facing him in a friendly spar.

Then, the lord swiftly lunged.

If the swords had been unsheathed, the tension would have been much higher. The prince had been quick to counter his first strike, his movements graceful and deliberate.

For a while, the two were locked in a perfect dance, back and forth. No strike seemed to get past Hua Cheng’s calculated advances, and Xie Lian’s immense speed and knowledge of the sword were clear. Thrilling waves of excitement surged through Hua Cheng’s veins, pulling at the corners of his mouth to form a wide grin at the prospect of finally meeting his equal in skill.

Both men were extremely focused. However, Hua Cheng could tell his fiancé was enjoying this from the small grin that slowly spread across his face, and the breathless laughs that left his lips.

Feng Xin and Mu Qing remained standing off to the side, both looking equally uncomfortable, as if they were watching something they shouldn’t be.

The two whirled around, trying to disarm each other. Hua Cheng felt himself starting to struggle just a little, since he was using a straight sword rather than his usual scimitar. He thought about simply letting Xie Lian win, but where would the fun be in that?

Just as the thought crossed his mind, the prince went to quickly jab him in the chest with the blunt end, but Hua Cheng was quicker. The lord blocked the blow and strode forward, the two sheathed swords crossing in a locked parry.

Parted lips, panting breaths, and lightly flushed cheeks. Gazing into each other’s eyes, they both grinned. Then, the prince laughed, pushing the lord away firmly but gently, and holding the weapon at his side to signal a truce. Finding that laugh incredibly contagious, Hua Cheng couldn’t help but laugh along with him.

“Oh, that was fun!” His Highness said, smiling brightly. “I haven’t met someone equal to me in skill in ages.” Mu Qing huffed from the sidelines, but he was ignored. 

Hua Cheng preened at the praise, greedily eating up every ounce. “Me neither. Gege did very well,” he said. “Though, I must admit, I have not fought with a straight sword in a while.”

The prince raised his eyebrows. “What does San Lang usually fight with?” He asked.

“A scimitar–” Hua Cheng began.

“Oh! That makes so much more sense with the way you were moving!” Xie Lian exclaimed, clapping his hands together once in front of him.

The prince had been so excited that he completely ran over Hua Cheng’s sentence. However, this time, the lord hardly minded.

“His Highness noticed?” Hua Cheng asked, grinning. “He must be very adept with the sword indeed. Much more than I realized.”

His fiancé laughed light-heartedly. “I-It’s nothing, really.” Xie Lian said, fanning a hand dismissively and looking embarrassed. 

Over the past few days, since the prince’s correspondence had arrived, Hua Cheng had pored over all sources of information about him that he could find. Though there was not much, there was enough to gather that Xie Lian was incredible at nearly every valued skill.

As the top disciple among his peers, His Highness excelled in all the arts. For example, he could play most instruments expertly, sing any song flawlessly, and wield any sword he could get his hands on with incredible grace. Thus, Xie Lian had earned the reputation of being the best warrior in the Wuyong Clan, and not because of his title as prince.

The lord shook his head. How could someone be so obviously a master in something and still try to diminish their talents? Hua Cheng couldn’t understand it.

“Gege says it’s nothing? How can that be true?” Hua Cheng asked, a playfully dramatic air in his voice. He stepped closer to the prince, the attendants’ bodies stiffening as he did. “I’d venture to say that His Highness is trying to be modest on purpose.” The lord teased, leaning closer to the prince so that they were a mere trip away from falling on each other’s lips. 

Hua Cheng feigned complete confidence when, in truth, his heart was pounding out of his chest and his mind was running a million li a minute. He had no idea what came over him in these moments, other than the overwhelming urge to see that gorgeous face get adorably flustered over and over again. His happiness was like a drug. 

Xie Lian was taken aback. His face flushed, and his lips were parted, amber eyes wide. He chuckled. “San Lang… Don’t tease me.” The prince said softly.

“Alright, that’s enough. Your Highnesses, please.” Mu Qing said. “Leave a little room for breathing?”

Hua Cheng glanced at the attendants, who looked either uncomfortable, scared, or both. He paused before taking a step back. “If His Highness is uncomfortable, he can always tell me and I will act accordingly.” He said, glancing at the prince and smiling. “His attendants shouldn’t have to say anything for him.”

The prince in question pressed his lips into a thin line. “Thank you, San Lang.” He said, looking up at the young lord through his lashes.

Hua Cheng could die then and there, and he would be happy. However, of course, that attendant had to point out the obvious.

“It’s getting late in the day. Your Highness, you should take a break.” Mu Qing said bluntly, crossing his arms over his chest. He was completely red in the face, even if he had done nothing but watch the two of them.

“Alright, alright.” Xie Lian acquiesced, making his way to the bench where the gold and white layer was folded, and setting down the sword beside it. Mu Qing helped him into the layer and dusted him off, grasping the sword and striding towards the young lord, reaching out his hands.

“One condition.” Hua Cheng said suddenly.

Everyone looked at him. Hua Cheng handed over the sheathed sword to Mu Qing, and then quickly strode over to stand nearly shoulder-to-shoulder with the prince.

“Would His Highness grant this one the chance to spar together again?” Hua Cheng asked, hopefully. “He could see how I fight with a scimitar.”

The prince fiddled with his sleeves, not meeting the lord’s gaze. He smiled a small smile. “Why not? … I’d like that.” Xie Lian said softly.

Chapter Text

— Hua Cheng

Fuck. Fuck fuck fuckfuckfuckfuck!  Hua Cheng was distraught, lying awake into the early hours of the morning. The realization of so many things was hitting him like a year’s worth of paperwork landing on his desk all at once.

When Xie Lian had visited over two weeks ago, Hua Cheng had never before been so happy. Although the bar was in the depths of hell, rolling around in filth, that wasn’t the point. Once the lord had a taste of something good, he refused to drop it.

Hua Cheng only ever had one friend in his life, and they hardly spoke anymore. Even then, Qi Rong’s sober moments were fleeting, and he never really understood him in such a way. There was He Xuan, but he didn’t count any more than Qi Rong did, the man being much more interested in his scholarly endeavors than even taking care of himself.

The prince had been more than willing to simply sit with him as Hua Cheng finished that intimidating stack of paperwork, indulging in conversation whenever he needed a break. The lord worried that his fiancé would be bored, but if Xie Lian had been, he said nothing. Thus, in every moment they spent together, His Highness was a glowing light in his otherwise monotonous and gray existence, making even the most daunting of tribulations a breeze. Whether they sparred, chatted, or sat in silence— all of it was wonderful.

On top of that, Xie Lian was incredibly skilled, perhaps even more so than Hua Cheng. It lit a fire of encouragement to better himself in every aspect, whether for himself or his future husband. Perhaps this marriage didn’t need to be a boring political agreement. Perhaps it could be something… good.

This terrified him, completely, to no end. Hua Cheng had never clicked with someone like this before. He found himself thinking of Xie Lian almost every waking hour of the day, and sometimes even dreamt of him. Warm, fluttery heat would flood his head, which would then be quickly followed by a stomach drop to the floor with dread.

When Xie Lian eventually had to leave to return to Wuyong, to that filth Jun Wu, Hua Cheng stood for at least a shichen at the front steps of Paradise Manor, where they had bid each other farewell. The lord had helped the prince into the carriage, much to the displeasure of the surrounding attendants— Yin Yu had wisely said nothing.

Hua Cheng could still feel where those smooth hands had slid from his own, the ghost of his fiancé’s touch persistent and heart-wrenching. For the first time in his life, he felt unworthy of such grace. He would fight to stay in his good image, no matter what. Even if Xie Lian hated him, he would still fight for him.

Of course, good things didn’t last forever. When the lord finally drifted off to sleep, he was plagued with a nightmare that he was all too familiar with. He tossed and turned fretfully.

Hua Cheng was a child again.

Standing amidst the flames of a forest fire, his skin was scorched and bloody, and his right eye stung as if it were being gouged out. The flames lapped at every part of him, exposed and not. His robes turned to ash, and the stench of burnt hair permeated his lungs.

The not-yet lord quickly became naked and alone. When he first had this dream, he felt exposed and defenseless. He knew what was coming, yet could not control how unprepared he felt.

Desperately clutching his melting skin, he felt his bones begin to protrude through the waxy membrane, stretching and tearing. He opened his mouth in a scream— by then, his vocal cords had already long since snapped.

Ash swirled to conjure figures amidst the flames. First his mother, then his two brothers, and lastly his horrible, drunken father.

His mother sobbed and screamed, his brothers daredn’t meet his gaze, and his father laughed. Hua Cheng could do nothing but sit there and watch with horror.

Thick, hot blood poured from his mother’s eyes and down her cheeks, dripping from her chin all over her white funeral robes. His father, Hua Zhenghua, continued to cackle even as blood began to flow from his open mouth, his sounds becoming gurgled and distorted like a morbid river. The brothers stood silently, watching all this unfold as their bodies melted down to bones, dispersing into nothingness. Just as useless as they had been while San Lang, Hong’er took the brunt of everything.

A ceramic alcohol flask appeared in his father’s hand, unceremoniously dumping the contents onto Hua Cheng’s head, more fire rushing to his hair and his face. His jaw was slack, the muscles keeping it all together long since melted. Hua Cheng clutched himself in vain, desperately trying, trying to keep everything together.

He had to be strong. He had to be strong. He had to be strong.

That excruciating laughter echoed in his ringing ears, his hearing fading. The smell of the familiar, cheap rice wine burned his flattened nose. His mother began to scream for him, crying “Hong’er!” over and over. The man who Hua Cheng shared a name with spoke, his voice booming in his mind, repeating something he had once said long ago:

“Be grateful that you have brothers, since you will surely never amount to anything. Just look at you— those who would gaze upon that horrible eye of yours will know the truth. They will know that you are a demon child; a monster .”

Hua Zhenghua raised the flask and swung it at the side of his head.

“Young master!”

Hua Cheng sat up in bed, panting. Cold sweat beaded on his pale skin, sending a shiver down his spine. Disheveled, inky strands of hair stuck to the back of his neck and his forehead. His hysteric gaze darted to the source of the sound.

Yin Yu kneeled at the side of the bed, his black robes especially dark against the crimson bedsheets. “Young master,” He repeated. “You were screaming…”

Hua Cheng groaned and curled his body forward, burying his face in his hands and hugging his knees to his chest. Yin Yu didn’t even have to ask what dream he was having— the attendant knew full well. The images of blood and fire were branded in his mind. Closing his eyes only made it worse.

Smoothing his bedhead back with his hands, he let out a deep sigh and nodded. He bit back the tears and took deep breaths, calming himself down.

There was silence in the bedchamber for a while before Yin Yu felt comfortable enough to stand. Hua Cheng’s chest was tight, and his eyes burned from sleep deprivation, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to drift off now even if he tried. 

“I have some news that I think My Lord might want to know about.” Yin Yu said quietly. 

“Mm… Can it wait until after I’ve eaten?” Hua Cheng asked groggily, rubbing his mismatched eyes in a measly attempt to get rid of the fatigue that clung to his lashes. 

His attendant paused and then nodded. Yin Yu turned on his heel and was about to leave the room, but he paused in front of the door. The black-clad man turned and gazed at the young lord, eyes shining with sympathy. 

“... He’s dead, My Lord. He cannot hurt you anymore.” Yin Yu said firmly, trying to soothe Hua Cheng in his own way.

“... I know.” Hua Cheng said. But the memories could.

With that, his attendant left the room. Hua Cheng remained in his bed, long inky hair pooling around his slender frame, as his mind continued to replay everything horrible over and over again. 

The one thought that persisted, shouting louder than all the others, was a fearful, horrible idea: Would Xie Lian still be able to be around him like this? Or would he disappear into the flames, lost forever?

✧

The lord had hardly touched his breakfast before he couldn’t take it anymore. “What was the news you mentioned?” Hua Cheng asked, still sitting in bed, having taken his meals here for the third time this week. 

“My lord received another piece of correspondence from His Highness, Xie Lian.” Yin Yu said, smirking at the way Hua Cheng’s eyes darted over to him. “It seems the moment he returned to the Wuyong Clan, Jun Wu was very displeased with him for coming here so suddenly, and staying three days no less.”

Hua Cheng scowled. “ Trash … Is His Highness not allowed to have fun?” He grumbled. He even had those pesky attendants with him. 

Yin Yu simply smiled and continued. “Jun Wu disallowed Prince Xie Lian from returning to Paradise Manor until the day of the wedding.” 

Hua Cheng gritted his teeth, and his red eye twitched. “Why? Pray tell? ” He asked, his tone cold and sharp like a blade. 

“The correspondence didn’t say. However, Prince Xie Lian did offer to have My Lord come and visit instead.” Yin Yu finished, looking at Hua Cheng curiously. 

Hua Cheng sighed, closing his eyes pensively. As angry as he was, he needed to think about this carefully. He couldn’t just barge in and demand Xie Lian to be handed over— that would cause too much of a scene. Plus, His Highness would probably be upset if he did that. There had to be another way… 

Then, it clicked. 

“Yin Yu, please prepare my horse and some provisions for a couple of days. If I am not back in 3 days, send out a search party. You are in charge of Paradise Manor until I return.” Hua Cheng said, a dead-set look in his eye. 

The attendant opened his mouth, perhaps in some kind of protest, but then quickly closed it again. He bowed respectfully. “Yes, My Lord.” 

Hua Cheng quickly finished his breakfast as Yin Yu left the room hurriedly. 

Less than two incense times later, Lord Hua Cheng was on the back of his black mare. Leather saddlebags were full of the things he had asked for, and then some. He pulled up a piece of black cloth to cover the lower half of his face, sporting a black eyepatch to cover his red eye. With all black robes and his sheathed silver scimitar strapped to his hip, the young lord looked more like a devious bandit— not at all like The Ning Clan Lord, unless one looked closely. 

Yin Yu strode up to him, fussing over the bags and making sure everything was as it should be. He looked up, watching as Hua Cheng tied up his long strands haphazardly. 

“Young master, do be careful.” Yin Yu warned. 

“I will. I’ve been on more dangerous excursions before.” Hua Cheng glanced down at him, an excited glint in his eye. “If anyone asks, I’m in my study and I am not to be disturbed.” 

Yin Yu bowed, unable to say anything else before the lord smirked at him, taking the reins firmly in his hands, and setting off at a full gallop. 

He rode like this for a shichen, not stopping until his mare showed signs of exhaustion. The lord stopped by a stream to let her drink, very gently stroking the back of her long neck.

The grass was tall and green, almost perfectly obscuring the lord and his ride. Swaying in the winds that coursed through the valley, it felt like they were in the middle of a strange ocean. Hua Cheng smiled, thinking of how great it would be to someday traverse these plains with Xie Lian, whether the prince had his own ride or whether they would share. 

Hua Cheng wiped his brow with his sleeve. “Don’t worry, Your Highness. I will be there soon.” He vowed quietly to himself. 

Once his mare was rested, he set off again, not slowing until they reached the beginnings of the road that led up to the tall, sharp mountains of the Wuyong Clan territory. 

✧

— Xie Lian

Xie Lian was completely and utterly bored to tears. Having been ordered to be in his room for the rest of the day, the prince had done everything there was to do. 

Xie Lian had already practiced his calligraphy that his master, Mei Nianqing, had assigned him. The busywork seemed pointless, given that he had already brought most people to tears with the beauty of the strokes, paying no mind to what had been written. 

He already played the few instruments he kept in the room, and everything else just seemed worse than sitting and staring out the open window into the late summer afternoon. 

The prince groaned quietly, resting his chin on the sill, and his mouth protruding in a small pout. He had visited people before, but perhaps he was being punished because they were supposed to be married, and hadn’t been yet? 

Xie Lian thought this was ridiculous and didn’t care for the idea that he and Hua Cheng should stay as far away from each other until the last possible minute. 

The young lord had completely captivated him, as a friend and an equal, though Xie Lian might have a hard time admitting it directly to his face. Nobody had ever just sat and listened to him because they wanted to, rather than out of obligation, because he was the prince. He smiled to himself at the thought. 

Xie Lian found it endearing, and if Hua Cheng never told him to stop, he might talk the lord’s ear off for the rest of their lives. It helped that he didn’t seem to care for most rules, only doing what he wanted to do and saying whatever he wanted. Amidst that delinquent-like charm, he also showed immense respect for Xie Lian’s comfort. Because of this, the prince trusted that if he had upset Hua Cheng, the lord would make it known. 

The prince sighed; that fact took so much stress off his shoulders that he would otherwise normally bite and bear. 

However, not only had he found Hua Cheng’s mischievous personality to be incredibly charming, his fiancé was also bewitchingly attractive. Long, silky black hair that framed those beautifully mismatched eyes and sharp facial features, including that gorgeous nose. That slender waist, and those lithe, long legs not easily hidden by the layers of crimson and black robes… 

Heat rushed to Xie Lian’s cheeks, and he buried his face in his white sleeves, wishing he could grab his thoughts and slam them into the nearest mountain. How dare he besmirch San Lang in such a way?!

A knock rapped on the door, and the prince cleared his throat, hoping the blush would quickly pass.

Once he was permitted to enter, Mu Qing opened the door and quickly shut it behind him. The attendant carried a pile of linens and other things, striding over to the bed. Without a word, he began stripping the prince’s bed, changing the sheets and tossing the previous ones onto the floor, making a quite unceremonious pile. 

Xie Lian watched in awe, not having seen Mu Qing do this before. Of course, he knew that the attendant did these things, but by this time of the day, the prince was usually off sparring with his fellow disciples in the gardens. 

Mu Qing paused what he was doing, raising a judgmental brow. “What are you staring at?” He asked, scowling. 

Xie Lian smiled. “Nothing, don’t worry about it.” He said pleasantly, looking back out the window. 

The attendant scoffed and finished making the bed, turning to gather the discarded linens in his arms. 

“Mu Qing?” Xie Lian called quietly. 

“ Yes, Your Highness?” Mu Qing said impatiently. 

The prince bit his bottom lip. “Do… Do you think I did something wrong by visiting San Lang-didi?” He asked. He only used this name around his attendants. If Hua Cheng ever asked for it to be used on him, Xie Lian felt he might die from embarrassment. 

The attendant paused, looking incredibly sour. “How am I supposed to answer that? All I know is that Lord Jun Wu is incredibly pissed off at the whole thing.” Mu Qing said, rolling his eyes. “... But if His Highness wants me to answer honestly…”

“I do!” Xie Lian insisted. 

Mu Qing took a deep breath. “I think Your Highness had good intentions, but the whole thing looked very… presumptuous.” He said quietly. 

The prince sighed. “I just don’t think it’s so wrong to want to get to know someone’s fiancé before marriage. I think if one didn’t, it would make everything… Really … awkward …” Xie Lian trailed off, butterflies fluttering around in his stomach. 

“I mean… I guess…” Mu Qing said quietly. 

The prince looked up. Mu Qing had averted his gaze to the floor, his face almost entirely red. His attendant had always been very thin-faced and pale, which made him incredibly susceptible to being completely overtaken by blush. 

Xie Lian couldn’t help but snort. 

“What’s so funny?!” Mu Qing spat. 

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” Xie Lian said, waving his hand and changing the subject. “I just think it’s sweet that you’ve been spending more time with Feng Xin. I knew you two would get along if you just–” 

“Why would you say that now?!” Mu Qing cried. 

“I– What? Qing’er–” Xie Lian started and stood, but Mu Qing refused to hear any more. The red-faced attendant dashed out of the room and locked the door behind him.

It seemed that there was never a good time to bring up the subject of his bodyguard around Mu Qing. He would get so flustered and immediately want to talk about literally anything else, much to Xie Lian’s confusion. Was there something going on between them…?

Suddenly, there was hot breath on his ear. “Your Highness…” A low voice whispered. 

Xie Lian startled and whipped around, delivering a punch at full strength to the elegantly sharp jaw of his intruder.

PAH. 

The black-clad figure was sent staggering backward, holding his jaw. “Holy fuck –” He groaned, that voice sounding incredibly familiar. 

The prince’s eyes narrowed, and then they widened. That voice, that frame, those gorgeous inky black strands…

“S-San Lang?!” He cried quietly, clapping his hands to his mouth. Oh no.

Hua Cheng chuckled, pressing the back of his hand to his mouth. He wiped his swollen bottom lip that bled pathetically, the blood blooming on the skin of his pale thumb. Guilt washed over the prince; that probably had to hurt. 

“Oh, San Lang, your poor lip…” Xie Lian fretted. 

Hua Cheng chuckled. “It was this one’s fault. I must’ve startled gege very much for him to have blessed me with such a blow.” He teased, his eyes crinkling in a smile. 

Xie Lian shook his head. “Nonsense, come– sit.” He commanded gently. 

The prince gently grasped Hua Cheng by the hand and brought him to the bed, setting the lord down with a small poof. 

“Wait here.” Xie Lian commanded gently and went to find a cloth or something. 

Hua Cheng did as he was told, and the prince began to search his room, sliding open drawers and throwing open cabinets. For a while, it seemed like there was truly nothing that he would be able to use, so he grabbed the nearest set of robes to him. He pulled with all his might, and the fabric tore. 

The lord started. “Your Highness–!” Hua Cheng exclaimed quietly. 

“Don’t worry. I have plenty more.” Xie Lian assured, bringing the strips of torn robes over to the bed. 

The prince sat down and turned his body to face Hua Cheng. He looked down at the torn fabric in his hands and quickly realized that he didn’t know much about what to do in these situations at all. Hua Cheng must have noticed Xie Lian’s hopeless state, and he smiled. “Allow me.” He said, reaching out his hand. 

Xie Lian acquiesced and handed the torn strips over, the tips of his fingers brushing against the lord’s hand ever so slightly. He took a breath in an attempt to quell his racing heart. The prince had very casually grabbed Hua Cheng’s had only a moment before, why was he freaking out over something so miniscule? 

The lord folded the strips of fabric to create multiple layers, then paused, seeming to hesitate to use them. 

“San Lang, it’s okay. It’s already torn.” Xie Lian said. 

Hua Cheng bit his bottom lip, then winced. He muttered a curse under his breath and then glanced over at the prince, looking very reluctant. The lord had been so sure just a moment ago, but now he looked like a shy child about to ruin a priceless artifact. 

“But…” Hua Cheng started. 

“None of that,” Xie Lian said, shaking his head. “Give it here.” 

The prince took the piece of fabric out of his hands and very gently pressed it against the tender, broken skin of the lord’s bottom lip. Hua Cheng’s eyes widened, and his entire body froze. Xie Lian’s breath hitched soundlessly as he realized how intimate this was.

But if he stopped now, it would be a blatant regard of how flustered he was. He couldn’t have that. So, he kept applying a very gentle pressure to help the bleeding slow. 

After a moment, Hua Cheng chuckled and brushed the tips of his fingers against the back of Xie Lian’s hand. 

“Your Highness, I’ll be alright. Thank you.” Hua Cheng said. 

The prince nodded and took his hand away, not sure what to do with the bloody fabric now that he had been met with the reality. The lord made a decision, grasped the fabric and shoved it into one of his robes, carefully licking his bottom lip. 

Xie Lian couldn’t help but stare, as uncouth as it might have been. 

The lord glanced at him and smiled that foxy smile he always gave. “Gege, aren’t you going to ask this one what he’s doing here?” Hua Cheng asked. 

Xie Lian felt beyond stupid. That would, of course been the first logical thing to ask, but he had been so wrapped up in trying to help his fiancé, and admiring his beauty that the question had completely slipped his mind. 

“... I assume San Lang came to see me, right?” Xie Lian asked, hopefully. 

“Who else, except His Highness?” Hua Cheng countered, his eyes glinting mischievously. 

Heavens above, that look in his fiancé’s had been a persistent part of his daydreams as of late, but it was the dullest of images in comparison to seeing it in person. That one, gorgeous, ruby-red eye alongside his midnight one was the most beautiful sight the prince had ever seen. He couldn’t get enough of it. 

Why did everyone think this man was a monster?

The two men sat there for a while in silence. Xie Lian felt his cheeks get hot, and he averted his gaze shyly. 

“It was bold of San Lang to come here unannounced. How did he get in with all the guards around?” Xie Lian asked, a coy smile spreading across his lips. 

“... This didi has his ways.” Hua Cheng said, grinning. 

This man! He clearly loved tormenting the prince with how easily flustered and shy he could get. Xie Lian could practically feel his hands itching to clap over his face. Instead, he pressed the tips of his fingers into the mattress to steady himself. 

“W-Well… If Jun Wu, or my attendants for that matter, found out San Lang was here… It would be a huge scandal of the highest degree.” Xie Lian said quietly. “I would like to preserve my fiancé’s reputation as much as I can.” 

Hua Cheng snorted. “They can say what they like. I don’t mind.” He said. “However… I would like to spend time with gege without being constantly watched.” 

Oh. That was a dangerous thought. Several daydreams of Hua Cheng that he had kissed and buried flooded his mind, making the prince want to scream. Instead, Xie Lian swallowed nervously, his ears definitely red. 

It seemed that the lord realized what he had just implied. Mismatched eyes widening, his hands came up in front of him as he backpedaled. “Only to talk! This one… I…” Hua Cheng stuttered, and then averted his mortified gaze to the floor. “Your Highness, I wouldn’t…” 

Xie Lian was speechless. “I-I wasn’t thinking…!” He absolutely had been. 

Silence returned, this time much more embarrassing. Xie Lian had been wanting to get the chance to spend more quality time with his fiancé, to get to know more of the man that he was supposed to marry. Here he was, his mind running buck wild with none of his usual restraints having any effect! What was wrong with him?!

The prince took a breath and steeled himself. “I also… wish to spend time with San Lang.” Xie Lian said quietly. “He’s so caring. … You know, I never once believed those stories.”

Hua Cheng gazed at him and tilted his head curiously. “Oh? Is that right?” He asked. 

“Mm.” Xie Lian took those large, pale hands in his own. “I think it is admirable that San Lang doesn’t care what others think so much. This one wishes he could do the same.” Xie Lian admitted. 

The lord gazed at him, mismatched eyes wide and shining. They leaned closer to each other, and the prince’s heart pounded in his ears. “Y-Your Highness, you–” Hua Cheng started. 

Distant arguing came closer and closer, along with multiple pairs of footsteps. The two men froze, and Xie Lian instinctively pulled his hands away. Panic washed over Xie Lian, and his chest grew tight. If they found him here…!

Hua Cheng was two steps ahead of him, standing by the window in an instant. The lord held out a hand to him expectantly. 

Somehow, in these past few seconds, his fiancé had covered his red eye with an eyepatch, making him look like some seafaring deviant that would take whatever he wanted with zero remorse or concern for the consequences. 

“Gege, you said you wanted out of here, right?” Hua Cheng asked, grinning. 

Xie Lian felt his stomach lurch, and he bit his lip. If the lord was the so-called deviant, the prince would allow himself to be whisked away any day. 

Without a second thought, Xie Lian nodded and took his hand. Hua Cheng pulled him close, an arm winding around his waist tightly. He fought down an excited shiver and wrapped his arms around Hua Cheng’s neck as they jumped from the window together. 

Just as the bedroom door was opened, Prince Xie Lian and Lord Hua Cheng were already riding away on the black mare down the mountain.

There was an understandable cause for alarm. The prince had just been whisked away from his bedroom by some black-clad miscreant to somewhere completely unknown!

But Xie Lian was having the absolute time of his life. Said miscreant was his fiancé, his friend, Lord Hua Cheng— his San Lang. 

A blanket had been laid out by a clear-running stream in the depths of a thick forest, less than an incense time away from the Wuyong palace. Two men sat on it, eating, laughing, and chatting all the while. 

“You should’ve seen his face. It was absolutely priceless.” Hua Cheng laughed. 

“San Lang is a mischievous one.” Xie Lian teased. 

“Is that something His Highness finds endearing?” Hua Cheng asked, grinning. 

Xie Lian looked up at him as he lay on his side on the blanket. “Certainly.” He said, smiling. 

The two men gazed at each other for a bit, eyes lidded. The swelling on Hua Cheng’s lip had gone down, leaving just a small bruise. The moment the prince thought about kissing it, his face got hot, and he looked down. 

He quickly plucked a few pieces of fruit from the bag of provisions Hua Cheng had brought with him, popping them into his mouth, letting the sweet but tart flavor distract him from his shyness. 

“Ah– San Lang?” Xie Lian said, after swallowing. 

“Hm?” 

“Why are there so many stories about you?” He asked. 

The only sound for a while was the babbling of the stream a few paces away from them, and the soft nicker from the black mare that stood nearby, tied to a tree. 

“There are several reasons.” Hua Cheng admitted, leaning back on his hands and tilting his head back casually. “Why does gege think so?” 

Xie Lian genuinely considered this for a moment. “I’m not really sure.” He admitted. “I’ve heard you’re pretty strict when it comes to merchants selling in Silver City.”

“Less that I’m strict, and more that they’re trash who think they can throw their garbage around everywhere.” Hua Cheng said. “I only allow the best in my city.” 

Xie Lian looked up at him in awe. Hua Cheng was so accomplished and powerful at such a young age, and could command power in so many spaces. Yet, when he was with the prince, he became boyish and soft, which Xie Lian also adored. He was so cool. 

“What are we going to do once you bring me back? I don’t want anyone to think you’ve done something nefarious to me.” Xie Lian said, taking another bite. 

“I was thinking we have some fun with it.” Hua Cheng said, grinning. Xie Lian looked up at him expectantly, swallowing the last of the fruit that he had.

“This one could say that we were both captured, then fought off the enemy together. Gege is so talented, it would be easy to believe.” He mused, shifting his body so that he lay on his side. 

The black robes that Hua Cheng wore clung to his body, the curve of his frame lithe as always. It was incredibly alluring, and Xie Lian punched down those thoughts so he could properly answer his fiancé. “That’s a good idea, yes. But who would have been able to capture you? I don’t want your reputation tarnished.” Xie Lian said. 

Hua Cheng hummed. “This is true… Perhaps we can come up with something on the spot, how’s that?” The lord asked. Xie Lian smiled and nodded. 

Those long, slender fingers brushed against the remaining fruit in the basket, grasping the last small piece, and turning it over languidly. “Does gege like these?” Hua Cheng asked. 

“En. They’re one of my favorites. But they usually grow best in the south, and by the time they get here, they’re usually on their last days. I rarely find a good one.” Xie Lian pouted. 

Hua Cheng smiled, holding out the red fruit to the prince. “This one will make sure that His Highness never has another sour fruit again.” He declared sincerely. 

A warm breeze came through the clearing. Xie Lian wasn’t sure if he was getting goosebumps from that or from the way Hua Cheng was staring at him. That red eye was not unlike the red fruit that the lord held out to him, which opened a door to several dangerous pathways in the prince’s mind. 

“Didi…” Xie Lian mumbled, any embarrassment that he would normally feel completely leaving him. He leaned forward. 

“Y-Your Highness?” Hua Cheng stuttered quietly, those mismatched eyes wide. 

The two were very close now. Xie Lian could faintly smell the jasmine incense that clung to Hua Cheng’s robes and hair, filling him with a sense of comfort. The lord made him feel seen and understood. Throughout his 21 years, nobody else, not even Mu Qing or Feng Xin, had made him feel this way. 

However, the moment the prince realized what this might look like if someone else were to stumble upon them, he froze. “I-I…” Xie Lian began, his mouth agape ever-so-slightly. 

Then, the last red fruit was pressed into his mouth. Xie Lian’s eyes widened in confusion. 

“If gege wanted the last one, he could’ve just asked.” Hua Cheng said, grinning. 

The prince didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He stumbled back and quickly swallowed. “S-San Lang!” Xie Lian cried, not sure what he was freaking out over. All he knew was that his face was hot with blush. 

Hua Cheng laughed. “It’s alright. I have more at Paradise Manor anyway. Gege can have as many as he likes.” 

✧

— Hua Cheng

“YOUR HIGHNESS?!” 

The Ning Clan lord rode up to the Wuyong palace steps. Xie Lian was seated in front of him with his back pressed against Hua Cheng’s chest, feigning complete exhaustion. 

The lord had not wanted their little date to end. However, it was getting late in the day, and Xie Lian was getting to the point of spontaneous combustion from all of the teasing he had to endure. Either way, Hua Cheng felt that he had accomplished what he set out to do— save his fiancé from unnecessary boredom and isolation. 

“Your Highness!” Feng Xin exclaimed, catching Xie Lian as he purposefully slumped off the mare’s back. “What happened?!” 

Hua Cheng dismounted, not having bothered with putting his eyepatch back on or tying his hair back. His inky strands were a tangled mess, and mud was all over his robes. All entirely purposeful. 

Xie Lian and Hua Cheng had decided to make everything look a little more real. It started with simply splashing each other with water from the stream, then it quickly turned into an all-out mud-slinging battle. Those white robes had probably never seen so much filth in all their days, but the brightness of the prince’s smile outshone all of it. 

Hua Cheng had never laughed so hard in his life. 

The lord grasped the prince gently, scooping him up in his arms bridal style. Xie Lian let out a whimper, likely embarrassed again. “His Highness was captured by a group of mercenaries. I happened to be in the area, on my way to visit, when I found them.” Hua Cheng explained flatly. 

The bodyguard and the attendant, Mu Qing, eyed him suspiciously, but said nothing. “Alright. His Highness should be seen by the physician, just in case.” Feng Xin said nervously. 

Hua Cheng nodded. “Agreed. Show me the way, please.” When neither of the assistants moved, Hua Cheng narrowed his eyes. “What’s the holdup?” He asked. 

“To me, it just seems a little suspicious.” Mu Qing said coldly. “When I saw His Highness being taken away, the person did not look very unlike yourself, My Lord.”

Hua Cheng glared. “What are you implying?” He asked, knowing full well what this piece of trash was implying. A shame, he had started to prefer this one over the bodyguard. 

Mu Qing opened his mouth, probably to say something else incredibly stupid. “Mu Qing, Feng Xin, enough.” Xie Lian cut in quietly. 

The three of them looked at the prince, who still lay in Hua Cheng’s arms. Xie Lian wrapped his arms around the lord’s neck, holding on tightly as if Hua Cheng might let him go. He bit back a smirk at the feeling of those soft hands against his nape.

“I would have still been there if Lord Hua Cheng had not shown up. I will not allow your prejudices based on a few nasty, false rumors to carry in this conversation any longer.” Xie Lian declared, his expression dark. Hua Cheng felt his stomach flip. 

“But, Your Highness–”

Xie Lian put up a hand. “Enough. Lord Hua Cheng’s word is as good as mine.” He said, then sighing as if he remembered that he was supposed to be acting exhausted. “Take me to the physician, please. I’m tired.”

Feng Xin and Mu Qing could not argue with that, and they bowed reverently before turning on their heels towards the palace. The lord smirked to himself. 

As the four of them walked, Hua Cheng made sure to walk a few paces behind them, his steps slow and casual. 

He leaned his head down slightly. “Your Highness…” Hua Cheng whispered. 

Xie Lian opened his eyes and looked up at him. “That was quite the fight, are you sure you’re alright?” The lord asked, his eyes glinting mischievously. 

The prince nodded, then his smile faded. “I’m sorry about them…” Xie Lian muttered. 

Hua Cheng shook his head. “Not at all. Gege told them off so well, it made this one jealous.” He said, grinning. 

The prince gently papped his chest with his hand, and huffed. “San Lang…” He whined. 

Hua Cheng chuckled quietly and straightened, continuing to carry the prince up the steps into the palace, following Mu Qing and Feng Xin into the infirmary. 

Gingerly laying Xie Lian down onto the narrow bed, Hua Cheng smiled at him one last time before he, Mu Qing, and Feng Xin were ushered out of the room by the fussy physician. 

“With all due respect, My Lord, His Highness needs space for me to examine him. All of you, out, please!” They cried. 

Hua Cheng didn’t have time to respond before all of them had the door shut in their faces. Awkward silence swept between the three of them. Neither the attendant nor the bodyguard would dare make eye contact with the lord. 

He smiled. “Seems to me like you two should’ve been keeping a better eye on His Highness if you didn’t want him to be swept away.” Hua Cheng said languidly, crossing his arms. 

Mu Qing whipped his head around, looking so angry and red in the face that Hua Cheng thought he might explode. 

“Says you–” Mu Qing started before he bit his lip. His eyes were wide. 

“Ah, Lord Hua Cheng. How nice it is for you to visit the Wuyong Palace.” Jun Wu said coolly. The Lord of Wuyong sauntered down the hallway, hands behind his back. He wore a large, lavish headpiece with multi-colored beads hanging from either side. How gaudy. 

The young lord turned to face him, trying to seem polite. “Pardon my lack of an announcement. His Highness was captured by–” Hua Cheng began. 

“I’ve heard the story already. Most information that happens in Wuyong spreads faster than a wildfire in the heat of summer.” Jun Wu interrupted, smiling. 

Hua Cheng wanted so badly to punch that smug smile off his face, if it weren’t for all the consequences that would come afterward. “I see.” He said. 

Jun Wu glanced down at Hua Cheng’s muddied clothes, tangled hair, and overall filthy appearance. “It’s getting late in the day, Lord Hua Cheng. Would you perhaps be willing to stay the night before you head back? I hear there’s a late-summer storm brewing.” He said. 

Do I really have a choice? “Of course. This one thanks Lord Jun Wu for his gracious hospitality.” Hua Cheng said, nodding his head respectfully. Trash. 

“Good. I’m sure Prince Xie Lian will be delighted.” Jun Wu said, suddenly snapping his fingers. Several other servants appeared from the shadows. “Please show Lord Hua Cheng to his room. Cater to his every whim.”

This had no way of going horribly. No chance.

Chapter Text

Oh hell. 

Not only had Hua Cheng somehow roped himself into being forced to stay at the Wuyong Palace overnight, but he was also placed at the other end of where the prince’s quarters were. He knew they weren’t supposed to be spending time together unchaperoned, but come on.

Apart from that annoyance, staying overnight somewhere that one didn’t even want to be in the first place was oppressive.

The sheets were ever-slightly too rough, no matter where on the bed he shifted. Even if it was minuscule, the fabric felt like sandpaper against his pale skin. On top of that, nothing smelled like the lord’s jasmine incense. The scent that did permeate the room was all way too flowery in the wrong ways. Xie Lian didn't smell like this, so Hua Cheng had no choice but to feel like this was entirely purposeful and petty.

Everything was wrong and overstimulating, too different and new.

Hua Cheng lay on his back and stared up at the ceiling. His eyes burned, the back of his throat itched, and his body was exhausted. Just as he thought he might be able to rest, chirping birds invaded his consciousness, and the lord watched as the rising sun slowly began to lighten his room. The darkness became a cool gray, and then a warm orange-gold.

Great. Just fucking great.

It wasn’t that Hua Cheng had never experienced a sleepless night before. He was quite familiar with them. But because the lord was already so overwhelmed and overstimulated by everything else, it felt ten times worse. He wanted to go home and never see this trash place ever again, unless the prince was by his side the entire time. Admittedly, even then, he might protest just a little. 

It felt like ages before someone knocked on the door. Some part of Hua Cheng’s mind was hopeful that Yin Yu had come to save him, but when he permitted entrance, it was most certainly not his attendant. 

That sour-faced young man, Mu Qing, waltzed into the room and didn’t meet the lord’s gaze. Hua Cheng sat up slowly. “Aren’t you supposed to be attending to His Highness?” He asked flatly. 

Mu Qing turned and looked at him, jumping a little. Hua Cheng must have been glaring, or perhaps his signature sleep-deprived couture was truly that frightening.

“I-I already did… My Lord.” Mu Qing said, the title forced out like he was swallowing a particularly nasty bite of food. “His Highness likes to get up early to train. He asked me to check on you.” 

Xie Lian was a morning person, of course. Why wouldn’t he be?  Hua Cheng nodded and smoothed his hair back. Because he hadn’t moved much, his inky strands were still presentable and not tousled in the bedhead he typically sported. 

“Alright.” Hua Cheng said leisurely. 

Mu Qing nodded respectfully, though with an air of poorly hidden disdain. Hua Cheng fought down a snort. The attendant sauntered over and held out a folded pile of black robes. “Your robes from yesterday were washed, My Lord.” Mu Qing said, coolly. 

The moment that the attendant had held out the fabric to him, the scent of flowery washing soaps all over his robes hit the lord’s nose like a solid punch. He nearly gagged. “… Is there jasmine anything around here?” Hua Cheng asked, fighting down a cough and taking the robes unceremoniously.

Mu Qing stood and gave him a puzzled look. “I guess I can look… Why?” He asked. 

“Do you need to know why, or can you simply do your job?” Hua Cheng said, his voice dripping with contempt. 

The lord hadn’t meant to say that. It had just been the first thing that popped into his mind when the subordinate questioned him in such an open and casual way. 

Mu Qing frowned and averted his gaze. “Apologies, My Lord. I’ll go check right away.” He said, and quickly left the room, shutting the door behind him. 

Hua Cheng sighed and rubbed his eyes tiredly. He should probably write a letter to Yin Yu, explaining that everything was okay. After all, his attendant would be the only one who could read his shitty calligraphy and not want to gouge their eyes out afterward. 

Thankfully, there was a writing desk by the window in the bedchamber, with writing supplies already set out. Hua Cheng stood and pulled on the foul-smelling robes, trying his best to stomach the itching that went wild in the back of his throat. He should get a fucking medal for this. 

The lord prepared the ink, rolling the inkstone against the ink cake, not caring about how much it would stain his hands— it was inevitable. Going over the list of steps in his mind, Hua Cheng could almost hear Yin Yu chastising him about how improperly he would place the stone paperweights.

Smiling to himself, Hua Cheng began distributing the first few calligraphy strokes on the page— if one could even call it that. Black ink went roguishly wild across the page, the words hardly discernible from chicken scratch. 

The door very suddenly opened with a flourish. The lord dropped the brush in shock and whipped around, his eyes widening. “Y-Your Highness–?!”

“Shhh! Not so loud…” Xie Lian hushed, cautiously closing the door and rushing over to the writing desk.


Hua Cheng couldn’t help but smirk, placing an arm over the parchment to cover the horrendous characters. After he had dropped the brush, he would’ve had to start over anyway, the impact splattering ink everywhere. 

“Gege, did some of my rule-breaking habits rub off on you?” Hua Cheng asked, keeping his voice low. 

The prince rolled his eyes. “Don’t make this something it’s not.” Xie Lian muttered, then he looked extremely guilty for doing something so unrefined. “I just wanted to see San Lang. Lord Jun Wu has been following me all morning.”

His fiancé sounded exasperated, and the lord hummed thoughtfully. “I thought gege would be training.” Hua Cheng said languidly. “Someone told me he likes getting up early.”

“Oh, not today. The physician insisted that I was in shock and that I needed rest, but I’m perfectly fine! My acting couldn’t have been that good…” Xie Lian pouted, crossing his arms.

Cute. “Gege may hide in here as long as he likes. This one is happy for the company.” Hua Cheng said. 

The prince smiled at him and sat down on the bed, sighing quietly and leaning his head back to look up at the ceiling. White and gold robes draped over white sheets, creating a sight vaguely divine in nature. 

Once he was sure the prince wasn’t looking, Hua Cheng turned back to observe the damage on the page.
Ink had been smeared all over the parchment by his sleeve, the splat and swirl from when the brush dropped so suddenly creating a spirited line across his first line. Hua Cheng let out an exhale, then lifted the weights to discard the ruined draft. Thankfully, he was wearing black, so no visible damage was done to his robes. 

“San Lang? Are you writing?” Xie Lian asked curiously, having noticed that the lord’s focus was elsewhere. 

“En. I wanted to let Yin Yu know that I’ll be traveling back to Paradise Manor soon.” Hua Cheng said. 

“Oh…” 

The prince sounded forlorn at the prospect of Hua Cheng leaving. The lord couldn’t help but smile a little at this, turning his head to look up at him. 


“His Highness sounds upset.” Hua Cheng mused. 

“You’ve only just arrived. Why leave so soon?” Xie Lian asked, his head tilted to the side. 


He didn’t know how to answer honestly without potentially making His Highness feel bad. He bit his lip for a moment in thought and crumpled the parchment. 


“Does gege remember when this one told him about needing a quiet place to oneself?” Hua Cheng asked. 

Xie Lian nodded.  “This… San Lang needs it more than most.” Hua Cheng admitted quietly. “But gege is always welcome. No prior correspondence required.” 

There was a pause. Hua Cheng looked up, meeting the prince’s glistening eyes for just a moment. “Thank you, San Lang. If I could take you up on the offer before the wedding, I would, haha…” Xie Lian said. 

Warm blush prickled the lord’s cheeks, and he chuckled, taking out another piece of parchment to start anew. “It’s nothing.” Hua Cheng said. 

The prince mm-ed. Hua Cheng could feel those watchful eyes on him as he prepared to write the message. As he dipped the brush into the ink, he could feel his hand beginning to shake. Taking a deep breath, he pressed the brush to the page. 

Words were in his mind, he knew exactly what to say. However, with someone else watching him so closely, especially someone he wanted to impress, it was very hard to begin. “Can… His Highness not watch this one so closely? Only for now.” Hua Cheng asked, not turning to look at him this time. “Otherwise, he can look at San Lang all he likes.” 

Xie Lian coughed into his fist. The lord could imagine how pink the prince’s nose was getting, and he couldn’t help but let a pleased grin slip. “Y-Yes, of course.” Xie Lian muttered.

Hua Cheng heard the bedsheets shift as the prince adjusted his seating position. A fluttery feeling swirled in his stomach. 

Once the lord was sure that his fiancé wasn’t watching him, he felt comfortable letting his wildness spread across the page once more. The silence between them was sending an agonizing itch down his spine, so he tried to finish as quickly as he could, while still making the characters at least somewhat legible. He didn’t want Yin Yu to have a fucking stroke. 

He was almost done with the last sentence when he felt warm breath on the shell of his ear. “... Is that supposed to say ‘Wuyong’ ?” Xie Lian asked quietly. 

The lord jumped for the second time this morning, almost throwing the brush out the window in front of them. At this rate, he felt like this prince might be the death of him. Not that he minded, really. 

Xie Lian had moved from his spot on the edge of the mattress, having sat himself down on the floor just behind the lord. Hua Cheng exhaled and set the brush down, crossing his arms. 

“Gege said he wouldn’t look.” Hua Cheng pouted.

“I-I’m sorry, I really couldn’t resist…” Xie Lian said, bringing his hand up to his mouth to stifle a laugh.

Hua Cheng quite literally drooped. His inky strands had not been put up yet, which only added to his sorrowful appearance. Not only did his fiancé think his calligraphy was awful, but he had to laugh at it too.

“Oh, don’t be upset! It’s just– San Lang’s calligraphy has a style. … Just like the man who wields the brush, it is wild and carefree.” Xie Lian said, smiling.

The lord raised an incredulous brow and turned his head to look at the prince. “... Really?” He asked.

“Why would I ever lie to San Lang?” Xie Lian asked, clearly feigning offense at the lord’s blatant skepticism.

Hua Cheng couldn’t help but smile, a playful gleam in his mismatched eyes. “Alright. Then, pray tell, what does His Highness think should be done? Or is this one hopeless?” He asked, setting down the brush as he wrote the last characters.

The prince seemed to genuinely think about this, his brows furrowed slightly with focus. “Has San Lang ever had a tutor before?” Xie Lian asked. Hua Cheng shook his head, and his fiancé looked incredibly surprised. “... Really?”

“Yin Yu was the closest this one ever got. That man has never-ending patience, it seems, but… It’s more like this San Lang never wanted to listen very well.” Hua Cheng admitted sheepishly.

Xie Lian shook his head. “So didi is a mischievous one.” He teased, grinning playfully.

The butterflies really took flight in Hua Cheng’s stomach then, and he couldn’t help but avert his gaze back to the blank page. Otherwise, he would surely reveal how soft he was feeling.

“Would… Would he be willing to listen to someone else, perhaps?” The prince asked with crescent features, his voice velvety. 

Shit. Xie Lian could go from being shy and adorable to being smooth and put-together at a moment’s notice. The lord fought every urge to clap his hands to his face out of sheer fluster.

“... Perhaps.” Hua Cheng said. Composure holding like a brick wall, he grinned. “Is gege offering?”

The prince chuckled and smiled. “If San Lang is willing, I don’t mind. Though I think it may be best for you to learn from a real master.” Xie Lian said.

“But that’s no fun .” Hua Cheng said, tilting his head. “I thought gege would jump at the opportunity to teach this didi something new.”

Gotcha. Xie Lian laughed and waved his hand. “Alright, alright. Let me see how you’re doing it then.” He acquiesced.

Hua Cheng obediently picked up the brush and continued where he left off, silently cursing that he wasn’t able to see the prince’s expressions. He was, however, able to hear the small little pained hitches of breath, as Xie Lian tried his best not to say anything.

Just as the lord was three characters away from finishing the last line, the prince couldn’t take it anymore. “San Lang, stop, stop.” Xie Lian said, sounding pained. “It really…”

Hua Cheng sighed. “It is truly too unsightly. Gege best not look anymore.” He said, moving to put the brush down.

“N-No! It’s– Didi, you’re holding the brush all wrong. How could you do it properly if that’s the case?” Xie Lian said hurriedly.

The brush almost left his fingers before the prince suddenly took his hand, gently correcting the positioning of the lord’s fingers on the tool. Hua Cheng’s breath hitched, and his mismatched eyes widened. Body stiff like a board, he bit his lip in fear that a pathetic stutter might slip.

Xie Lian’s chest was pressed up against the lord’s arm, and the hand that he wasn’t using to help Hua Cheng hold the brush rested on his black-clad shoulder. The prince was warm against him, and he fought down a shiver as goosebumps shot down his arms and back.

Hua Cheng felt completely and utterly boneless. If he was like this already, how the fuck was their marriage going to work without him dying three days in?!

“H-Here… Like this.” Xie Lian said, his voice shaky.

All Hua Cheng could muster was a curt nod before the prince first asked him how he wanted to finish the correspondence, then guided his hand to write the appropriate characters.

In reality, writing out the last words had only taken a few seconds at most. To Hua Cheng, every stroke was like experiencing a decade of his life pass by. His heart raced, pounding in his ears. The lord wished he could get the damn thing to shut up, worried that His Highness might hear.

As the last stroke was finished, the two men paused before Xie Lian let go of Hua Cheng’s hand. The sensation of his fiancé’s touch lingered on the lord’s hand for a moment. A strange, greedy urge to grasp the prince’s hand and never let go washed over him. But he could never act on that, certainly not now.

“The last ones look a lot better.” Xie Lian remarked, smiling. “Though I still think I could convince my master to teach you a little.”

Hua Cheng sighed. “Alright, since His Highness insists.” He said, smiling.

Xie Lian laughed that glorious laugh again, and Hua Cheng couldn’t help but fall even deeper into adoration of his fiancé. The lord found himself wishing that he could be the one-and-only reason why Xie Lian would ever laugh again in the future, that he could be witness to all of the prince’s emotions and little quirks.

As much as Hua Cheng had wanted to try and take it slow, he could no longer deny his affections. He was completely head over heels.

✧

Hua Cheng had meant to wait in his room until that attendant, Mu Qing, returned. However, an entire shichen had passed, and the sour-faced man still had not returned. He wasn’t going to wait forever, especially since he had to send his message off anyway.

Like Lord Jun Wu had predicted, this late summer had brought heavy rains, so the young lord couldn’t just leave on his own. Since he had Xie Lian at his side, it wasn’t like he wanted to that much anymore anyway.

The prince and the young lord narrowly escaped multiple instances with attendants, Lord Jun Wu, and courtiers as they sneakily spent the day together. Dashing around corners, giggling quietly in broom closets, and endlessly teasing each other with flirtatious little lines. They were both adults, yet around each other, they acted like giddy kids in love.

Eventually, Hua Cheng did get to hand off his correspondence to a messenger, who assured him that it would be on its way immediately. When the lord had left the room, Xie Lian had been waiting patiently and grasped his hand before pulling him down the hall in a run.

As usual, Hua Cheng could hardly stifle his joyful laughter around the prince.

The two men stopped after they dashed around a corner, little breathy chuckles slipping out between panting. Xie Lian looked up at him and grinned, his cheeks flushed from running. The humidity had seeped into the Wuyong Palace, and it showed. The prince's black hair was a little messy, a few hairs out of place, but that only added to his adorable charm.

Hua Cheng wiped a bit of sweat from his brow. Before they had left the room, the lord had braided his hair loosely, thinking that would be enough. Of course, he was now regretting the casual choice, the red string he had used to tie it threatening to slip out.

Smoothing his inky hair back, he quickly tied it into his regular high ponytail. The young lord paused as he finished tying the knot with the red string, realizing that the prince had been watching him the entire time. Hua Cheng was thankful that his flushed cheeks could be excused at that moment, because they had been running around.

“Does gege need something?” Hua Cheng asked, grinning.

“Ah– Well, I was thinking that we should probably go see the master. I know you’re eager to get back to Paradise Manor, so–” Xie Lian said quickly.

The lord cut him off. “Any moment spent with His Highness is a moment well spent. Truthfully, if he were not here now, I would have left much, much sooner. Storms be damned.” Hua Cheng declared sincerely.

The prince was slightly taken aback. His amber eyes were wide, and his lips were slightly parted. That white-clad chest rose and fell with his breaths, and his face was redder than before. Hua Cheng smirked. However, before he could continue to fluster the prince, Xie Lian grasped his hand and led him down the hall. “Come now, San Lang. We shouldn’t dally.” Xie Lian chided. 

Haven’t we been doing just that this entire time? Hua Cheng thought, chuckling to himself.

Master Mei Nianqing was an interesting man, indeed. Clad in deep-purple robes, the man also kept half his face concealed, which made for a very mysterious appearance.

With Hua Cheng, he was also incredibly strict. Mei Nianqing seemed to take pride in how well his students succeeded. If a friend of a student was doing poorly, he would not allow such ignorance to sully his or his students’ reputation.

Once Hua Cheng’s arms were piled high with study manuals, specific writing materials, beginner inks, and everything one could possibly think of when one thought of calligraphy, did the master finally seem satisfied.

“Work hard, study well.” Mei Nianqing said and shut the door. The two young men stood in silence for a moment.

“He seemed in a mood.” Xie Lian mumbled.

“You mean he’s not like that all the time?” Hua Cheng asked.

“Well… He’s usually more patient, that’s all. Perhaps he’s not feeling well.” Xie Lian said pensively. 

Or perhaps he doesn’t want to waste his time on demon-spawn. Hua Cheng grumbled to himself. He glanced at Xie Lian, smiling.

The lord was just about to ask if the prince wouldn’t mind escorting him back to his room, just as two familiar attendants rounded the corner. It was truly a sight to behold. Hua Cheng’s eyes widened, and Xie Lian snorted next to him.

Feng Xin and Mu Qing looked as though they had hastily tried to put themself together after running through the rains. Hua Cheng distinctly remembered the sour-faced man looking much more refined earlier that morning, but now, Mu Qing's hair was pressed to his head with how wet it was, and the belt on his robes was haphazardly tied. The archer next to him had several dripping hairs out of place, and his robes were offset on one shoulder.

The two things that they had in common were pink cheeks and swollen lips.

The moment Xie Lian had let out an amused snort, Feng Xin and Mu Qing looked up, both looking equally startled and then horrified.

“Y-Your Highnesses–” They both started.

Then there was a very awkward pause, as the realization that Xie Lian and Hua Cheng had been unsupervised for gods knew how long finally registered.

“Feng Xin– Mu Qing– it’s alright, just please don’t–” Xie Lian began.

“Don’t what?! Your Highness, you do realize how bad this looks, right?” Mu Qing cried, rushing over and putting himself between the prince and the young lord.

Hua Cheng snorted. The three others looked at him, different forms of confusion on their faces. “You’re certainly one to talk. His Highness and I have done nothing but stroll around and talk to his master.” Hua Cheng said, raising a brow. “You two, on the other hand, must have gotten into some kind of... battle.”

The silence that enveloped the entire group was stifling. However, it was entirely worth the wait as Hua Cheng watched His Highness put the dots together, and go completely red in the face. “Mu Qing, you–” Xie Lian began.

Before anyone could say anything else, the attendant rushed off around the corner without a word. Xie Lian glanced at Feng Xin, who looked like he was going to punch a wall at any given moment.

The prince cleared his throat. “... Feng Xin?” Xie Lian tried.

“Yes, Your Highness?” Feng Xin replied, his voice somehow remaining level, despite how embarrassed he looked.

“... Go after him. We both know that he’ll start to overthink and get all in a fuss otherwise. And… I don’t care what you two do in private. Don’t say anything to Lord Jun Wu about Hua Cheng and me being unchaperoned, and I won’t say anything either.” Xie Lian said, still not making eye contact with the bodyguard.

Feng Xin took a deep breath and bowed to both of them before rushing off to find Mu Qing. Xie Lian and Hua Cheng looked at each other. Then, neither of them could hold back. Laughter rang throughout the hall, though they immediately shushed each other afterward, resorting to stifled giggles instead.

“San Lang, did you see the looks on their faces?” Xie Lian whispered, grinning.

“In fact I did, gege. I was there.” Hua Cheng teased.

The prince gently shoved his shoulder playfully, and the young lord chuckled. The bodyguard and the prince’s attendant were not seen for the rest of the day until Xie Lian had to retire for the evening. Hua Cheng escorted the prince to his room, gently grasping his hand just before he opened the door.

“What is it San Lang?” Xie Lian asked.

Hua Cheng, his entire form shaking, lifted the prince’s hand and reverently kissed it. He gazed into those shining amber eyes with his mismatched ones, smiling. “His Highness was incredible company today. This one can only hope he will grace me with his presence again tomorrow.” Hua Cheng said softly.

Xie Lian’s lips were parted slightly in that adorable, shocked expression that the young lord had come to adore and chase whenever he had the opportunity. Then, the prince smiled. “We took a lot of risks today, didi. However, if by chance we are allowed to have some more time alone…” Xie Lian murmured, leaning forward.

Hua Cheng’s breath caught in his throat. His Highness was so close that he could practically feel his warm breath on his neck. Xie Lian looked up through lidded, gleaming amber eyes.

Hua Cheng swallowed. “Yes?” He dared not speak above a whisper.

“... Then perhaps we’ll have more time to talk after we practice some… calligraphy.” Xie Lian concluded, leaning back.

Hua Cheng had hardly begun to process anything before Xie Lian took up the lord’s hand, giving it an even more gentle kiss.

“Y-Yeah… Calligraphy…” Hua Cheng muttered.

Before either of them could say anything more, the prince turned and stepped into his room. “Goodnight, San Lang.” Xie Lian said.

“... Goodnight, Your Highness.”

… If last night was sleepless, who knew what the hell tonight would be.

Chapter Text

As much as the young lord was enjoying the fleeting moments he shared with his fiancé, the prince, he was really glad to have been on his way now.

The rain had pounded on the Wuyong Palace for two days straight, causing several floods in the valley. Hua Cheng had half the mind to get on his mare and leave anyway, but the pitiful look that Xie Lian would give him as soon as he said something about it would leave him feeling incredibly guilty. Even if the times with the prince were lovely, and he wouldn’t trade them for the world, a few sleepless nights had begun to wear on him… and his composure.

Xie Lian had insisted on sparring a few more times, which had led to some very awkward moments between the two young men. This consisted of, but was certainly not limited to, their faces being so close together at one point that the young lord could practically taste the prince’s sweet, hot breath as it rolled off his tongue. 

Way, way too many close calls! Hua Cheng thought, his face flushing.

Thankfully, Mu Qing and Feng Xin mostly left the two of them alone, ever since the incident a few days ago. Often, they would trade off and hardly make eye contact. Hua Cheng would tuck these memories away privately to amuse Xie Lian later.

The strangest thing about their time alone was that somehow, Lord Jun Wu had not stumbled upon the two of them being unchaperoned. That, or the Wuyong Clan lord was choosing to ignore it. Not like Hua Cheng would’ve stopped. 

Hua Cheng made it back late in the day, the sun just having dipped past the horizon. Dusk in Silver City was always a beautiful sight, and the residents were readily welcoming their young lord back as he rode through the streets.

“Welcome back, Hua Cheng-Zongzhu!” Several voices cried.

Normally, he would ignore them. This time, when Hua Cheng gave mirthful glances at those who greeted him, he was understandably met with confusion and excitement. So much for keeping where he went under wraps…

Dismounting at the front steps, Hua Cheng handed the reins to an attendant who led his horse away. Yin Yu stood in front of the large doors at the ready, as he always did.

“Good evening, My Lord.” Yin Yu said with a bow. “I trust your visit with His Highness went well?”

Hua Cheng rolled his eyes. “Yes. Thankfully, I didn’t have to see that pompous idiot too much. He was wise to keep his distance.” He said. “The entire place reeked, though.”

The attendant nodded. “I’ll prepare a bath, then.” Yin Yu said, turning on his heel.

As usual, his attendant knew exactly what to do and when to do it, besides the times that he chose to relentlessly tease Hua Cheng. Though he supposed that was Yin Yu’s right as the man who practically raised him.

Before the young lord could take more than a few steps past the threshold, a voice called out behind him.

“Crimson Rain! Hua Cheng!” 

Kill me now, Hua Cheng thought. Only a few people called him that name, and they were either his terrified enemies, the scholar He Xuan, or He Xuan’s spouse, Shi Qingxuan.

The lord waved a hand, not bothering to turn around. “Not now, Qingxuan. I just got back from–”

“Yes, yes, I know you just returned from seeing His Highness, Xie Lian. That’s precisely why I’m here!” Shi Qingxuan said, waving their closed fan dismissively.

Shi Qingxuan was not the kind of person that Hua Cheng would typically have in his very limited social circle. They were bubbly and carefree, extroverted and a child at heart. Everyone knew Shi Qingxuan, the widely known social butterfly. Nobody could escape the expanse of their social network as a famous matchmaker.

Hua Cheng certainly couldn’t escape their fretting and fussing as his self-appointed wedding planner. The lord sighed. “I can chat about wedding ceremony preparations another time. I’m tired, and frankly, I don’t have the patience at the moment.”

“You’ve said that for weeks now!” Shi Qingxuan pouted. Hua Cheng finally turned to look at them, giving his best glare. It didn’t take much effort, as he was already exhausted from a full day’s ride. Shi Qingxuan’s eyes widened for a moment in terror, and then they clicked their fan open to hide half of their face, rolling their eyes. “Come now, Crimson Rain, did you really think that glare would work on me?” 

I wish it would, Hua Cheng thought.

“... But fine. Only because you must have had quite the time with His Highness. Zongzhu will need to rest.” Shi Qingxuan teased. “I’ll come back tomorrow.”

Shi Qingxuan said, fanning themself and quickly turning on their heel to escape the lord’s potential wrath. Hua Cheng didn’t even have the energy to be angry or call after them, lest it summon them back.

The lord went inside Paradise Manor, straight to the bath, eager to get the summer slick off his skin.

✧

Autumn winds blew through the land, quelling the summer heat and humidity with crisp, cool air. The leaves on the trees began to change, painting the region in crimson and gold. Prayer lanterns floated up to the heavens to honor the celestials, filling up the night sky with a warm glow. Music filled the air, celebrating the plentiful harvest.

When the frost began to paint the mountainsides, a wedding took place in the temple by the sea below the cliffs, just as promised months ago.

At the reception, Lord Hua Cheng and his now husband, Xie Lian, sat side-by-side at a polished wood table beneath a garden pavilion amidst several lords and ladies of the other clans.

Since Hua Cheng had arrived back that day, Shi Qingxuan had continued to pester the young lord until he finally relented a few weeks prior. They worked tirelessly up until the last few hours before the ceremony took place, protesting outwardly as He Xuan pulled them away to rest, because otherwise, they would be too exhausted to attend. “Wouldn’t it be a shame not to be able to see all your efforts?” He Xuan had whispered, and Hua Cheng managed to catch it as he passed by their argument.

It did not take long for Shi Qingxuan to acquiesce.

However, their work had certainly paid off. Unlike the banquet where the engagement had been announced a few months prior, this gathering was much more tolerable in comparison. There was jovial mingling, but there were no walls to horribly amplify the chatter. A group of musicians played soft music under one of the crimson-leaved trees, while a group of dancers performed a few paces away.

This was the first time Hua Cheng felt relatively at peace at a larger social event.

Having already finished eating the small amount that he could get down, the young lord glanced to the left. Hua Cheng couldn’t help but smile at the sight of his new husband. It seemed that no matter what Xie Lian could adorn himself with, even if he was covered in mud, His Highness would be the most beautiful man Hua Cheng had ever laid eyes on. He couldn’t help but swoon inwardly.

For their wedding, the prince wore all red robes with golden thread embroidered to depict peacock feathers. His dark hair was done up as usual, but this time, the end of the hairpin was much more extravagant. Gold leaflets were bent into the shape of orange blossoms, with red and white beads hanging at the ends of delicate chains. Red pearl earrings hung from his lobes, shimmering beautifully as they caught the light of the sunset.

Realizing he was staring, and remembering that might not be the best thing to do in front of other people, Hua Cheng quickly looked back at the dancers. Just as the young lord had leaned away, Xie Lian closed the distance again, his headpiece jingling quietly as he leaned to the side.

“Did San Lang ever read my last letter?” Xie Lian whispered, smiling softly.

Hua Cheng nodded. “I did.”

“What did he think?”

The lord grinned. “... I think Feng Xin and Mu Qing need to find more ways to vent all that pent-up energy they seem to have towards each other.” Hua Cheng said as Xie Lian laughed quietly.

Over the past several months, Hua Cheng and Xie Lian had agreed that it would be best to stay separated after their several days together in the summer. Xie Lian came up with the idea to send each other letters over the months leading up to their wedding day.

“It might even help San Lang-didi improve his calligraphy…” Xie Lian had said, very quietly, his cheeks and nose adorably pink.

Somewhat reluctantly, Hua Cheng had agreed, rushing to hide his profuse blush with his hand.

Even if they knew that their letters would be read over by at least one of their attendants before it got to them, this didn’t matter. Most of what they would write about would be their shared interests and what had happened lately, certainly not anything the nosy attendants would find interesting.

Xie Lian would sometimes write about local gossip, which would either amuse Hua Cheng or confuse him. This was typical, though; there was not much he entirely understood when it came to taboo subjects. Either way, Xie Lian didn’t seem to mind explaining it, even if the young lord continued to not understand. In turn, Hua Cheng would write of the everyday scuffles that would occur between merchants, since it seemed that his then-fiancé enjoyed hearing about strangers’ drama. He loved reading Xie Lian’s excited responses to how he would have handled the situation— the young lord found it amusing and endearing.

Because of these letters, it became clearer to Hua Cheng that he saw Xie Lian as a friend, as well as someone that he was romantically interested in. The feeling was strangely freeing and very much unlike anything the young lord had ever experienced. However, he had also gotten used to it, as opposed to his initial dramatic reaction months ago.

There was some part of him that felt guilty, however. Amidst all of the merriment and moving on with his life, someone was missing. Hua Cheng wondered how Qi Rong was doing after all this time. He wasn’t sure when he had last checked on him…

“San Lang…” Xie Lian said quietly, bringing the young lord out of his thoughts.

Xie Lian nodded his head toward the center of the garden. Hua Cheng’s gaze followed where his husband was motioning, and he noticed that Lord Jun Wu was standing a few paces away from the pavilion, looking at him expectantly. It took everything for Hua Cheng not to wrinkle his nose in a sneer.

“Lord Hua Cheng, I would like to thank you, as well as on behalf of all the other lords and ladies, for such a lovely ceremony and your warm hospitality.” Jun Wu said, seeming pleasant. “Some of us know how difficult it is to have such an important day with only our parents’ spirits to attend, so we have a gift for you that we thought would make everything much more special.”

Hua Cheng smiled and tried to quell his suspicion that Lord Jun Wu was planning something. A very young attendant came up to the pavilion in a line, holding a large, polished wooden box. Her fingers wrapped around the golden clasp and lifted the lid. 

Oh. No.

Hua Cheng’s stomach dropped to his feet. To keep his expression neutral, he tightly fisted the red and gold ceremonial robes below the table, out of sight.

In the box were several huge, bright red fireworks.

“How… thoughtful." Hua Cheng said, nearly gritting his teeth. "I will be sure to light them once the night has fully come over the sky. That way, we will be able to see them better.”

Xie Lian shifted in his seat, but the young lord would not look at him now. With luck, he might be able to slip away and explain everything to the prince if they waited.

Jun Wu smiled dangerously. “Oh no, I insist we light them now. It would be a lovely way to start the rest of the evening’s festivities.” He said, with a feigned air of amusement. The lords and ladies around seemed to agree with that sentiment. Hua Cheng was finally able to glance at Xie Lian, but he couldn’t quite place his husband’s strange expression. Was it concern? Guilt? … Where was Yin Yu when one needed him?

Hua Cheng sighed, and his head dropped in defeat. “... Very well.”

Everyone seemed delighted, several attendants rushing to set them up outside the walls of the garden. As they ran through an archway, Hua Cheng felt his heart begin to race in his chest, beads of cold sweat forming above his brow.

He had already been around so many strangers today, had to go through a very stressful ceremony, and was now expected to handle fucking fireworks of all things on top of everything?

It was all too much.

Knowing that the tails of the fireworks must be lit by now, the young lord took a shaky breath to steady himself.  He closed his mismatched eyes tightly and furrowed his brow.

“... San Lang?” Xie Lian whispered.

Before Hua Cheng could respond or explain, it was too late. First came the horrible screech, then the loud POP, as the red cylinder exploded in the early evening sky. The colors fanned out and were barely visible from the sunlight, but Hua Cheng was not paying attention. His hands flew to his ears, and his distressed whimper was drowned out by the delighted clapping from everyone else.

Hua Cheng’s breath felt stuck in his throat, his ears were ringing, and his entire body prickled with utmost rejection of everything around him. He wanted everyone to leave, fireworks to never exist again, and to curl up in a ball and die.

Suddenly, the young lord felt a hand gently press between his shoulder blades. Whipping his head to the side, he noticed that Xie Lian had come closer to him, a very concerned expression on his face. His husband’s mouth moved, and Hua Cheng knew he had said something, but couldn’t process what.

He shook his head, shutting his eyes tightly once more to block everything out.

Hua Cheng had no idea how much time had passed before he opened his eyes again, but when he did, the air was filled with a gray haze of smoke from the fireworks. Xie Lian remained close to him and had not moved his hand from his back, giving Hua Cheng something to ground himself with. Thankfully for now, his husband's touch was helping— the young lord couldn’t bear to think how he might have reacted if he was averse to touch at that moment.

Rapid footsteps were heard as Yin Yu appeared at his side, crouching down so that he was out of earshot of everyone around them. “My Lord, I heard the fireworks. Are you alright?” Yin Yu asked urgently.

Hua Cheng could not find his voice, so he nodded. He was by no means alright, but he was stable enough to be aware of things around him. Yin Yu’s dark eyes flicked to Xie Lian, his gaze blazing with anger. His face was nearly expressionless, but that look conveyed everything: the attendant blamed the prince for the fireworks.

Before Hua Cheng could refute that, the chatter and music resumed. The young lord slowly placed a hand on Yin Yu’s shoulder, gazing at him and hoping his attendant would understand. Yin Yu seemed to, and nodded curtly, taking his leave to stand a few paces away.

Hua Cheng sighed— he would have to explain all of this some other time.

Turning to gaze at Xie Lian, he placed his hand on top of his husband’s, which lay in his lap. He couldn’t tell if it was the glow of the sunset or if the man next to him was blushing, but it didn’t matter either way.

Leaning close to Xie Lian’s ear, he muttered, “Your Highness… I’ll be alright.”

Hua Cheng felt the prince’s shoulders tense up, and he leaned away, turning his blurred gaze back to the festivities. As much as the young lord wanted to apologize over and over, he was too dazed to focus on more than one dancer, much less explain what had just happened.

✧

The festivities went until very late into the evening, the celebration from the residents in Silver City going until dawn. The newlywed couple had gone to retire for the evening several hours prior, just as the real drinking had begun for the attendees.

Hua Cheng had found his voice once they were able to excuse themselves from the banquet, embarrassment washing over him while mentally recounting his reaction to the fireworks. He couldn’t believe that he had subjected Xie Lian to that, not even an hour after they had exchanged vows!

Shame raged through his mind like a violent river current, and he stared at the slats of the bridges connecting the various buildings of Paradise Manor as if they were the last things he would ever look at.

A thin layer of fog blanketed the ground, and the air was chilly, but Hua Cheng hardly noticed. This entire time, his husband had also remained silent. Newlyweds heading to their chambers would normally be arm-in-arm, hardly able to contain themselves. However, the two kept their bodies at a constant distance as they walked.

Once they got to the wing of Paradise Manor where the prepared ceremonial sleeping quarters were located, the two young men paused in front of the doors. After what felt like an eternity, Xie Lian leaned in toward his ear, speaking quietly:

“San Lang… Are you afraid of fireworks?”

Hua Cheng felt like his heart stopped for a moment; this was not the question he was expecting. Bringing his arms closer to his body, he fidgeted with his hands awkwardly, this action hidden by his large robe sleeves.

“I’m sorry you had to see that earlier. But… I suppose this one should be honest.” Hua Cheng said quietly.

Xie Lian looked at him expectantly, his amber eyes cast in a beautiful silvery sheen from the moonlight. Hua Cheng swallowed nervously and continued: “My senses are sharper than most, especially when it comes to… things like that. It’s incredibly embarrassing, and this one apologizes for the inconvenience."

The prince smiled gently and held out his hand. Hua Cheng took it. “... It’s not an inconvenience at all, San Lang. Thank you for being honest with me.” Xie Lian said. “I will make sure that Paradise Manor never sees so much as a sparkler ever again.”

Hua Cheng smiled and hummed thoughtfully, gently meeting those calm, amber eyes. The two stood there in silence for a moment. Xie Lian shivered, and his breath hissed through his teeth, a puff of warm air visible in the late autumn night. 


“Gege, are you cold?” Hua Cheng asked.

“P-Perhaps a little. Shall we go inside?” Xie Lian said, averting his gaze shyly.

Hua Cheng nodded, smirking to himself at the flustered little face that his husband made whenever he used that title for him.

Thinking back to the first time he used it in the gardens outside the Wuyong banquet hall, the young lord hadn’t realized how familiar Xie Lian looked to him until he thought about it. Before they met in person, Hua Cheng had been shown paintings done of the prince. However, smaller and more delicate ones flooded his memories.

As Hua Cheng entered the prepared sleeping chambers, a memory from years ago infiltrated his mind. In one of his sober moments, Qi Rong was sitting with him in the grass under a tree, secretly showing him small pieces of parchment that had been folded up in his robes.

The not-yet lord delicately ran the tips of his fingers against the rough texture of the paper in his hands. He gazed at the painting reverently, his mismatched eyes observing every little detail he possibly could.

Qi Rong, a few years his senior, had explained that this should have been his younger cousin grown up; that he had likely died in the fire that engulfed Xianle. “He was only about a year old when I met him last… I hope cousin Crown Prince’s spirit was able to disperse.” Qi Rong said gravely.

Now, as Lord Hua Cheng looked up, the only difference between the portraits and his new husband in front of him was that the figure in the painting wore a mask, and Xie Lian did not.

Hua Cheng came out of his daze, and his eyes widened, staring at his husband, who had slipped off his red ceremonial robes, revealing shorter white under layers. Although he had removed the golden headpiece and earrings, this did not remove any amount of radiance in his beauty. Xie Lian’s body was a silhouette against the moonlight pouring through the window, the fabric against his skin seeming to glow.

Hua Cheng swallowed, his heart hammering in his chest. Having planned everything else about today, the young lord had, of course, forgotten about... this part.

Before Hua Cheng could process what was happening, Xie Lian was suddenly very close, his hand pressed gently against the young lord’s chest. The tips of his fingers brushed up against his collarbone, and the palm of his hand was very warm.

“San Lang…” Xie Lian whispered, looking up at the lord through beautiful, lidded amber eyes. 

The soft touches, the tone of his voice...

Hua Cheng immediately panicked and stumbled backward into a dresser with a thud. He let out a quiet, pained noise, biting his lip.

The prince remained where he was in the middle of the room, eyes wide and confused. “San Lang, are you alright? I’m sorry if I offended you, I was just–” Xie Lian started.

“N-No, that’s not–” Hua Cheng began, but took a breath to gather his thoughts. He tried to think of something to explain himself, but he wasn’t sure how he could get out of this without further offending the prince in front of him. “... Do you mind if we wait?” He asked timidly.

The pause felt eternal. Hua Cheng couldn’t tell if his husband was offended, surprised, or both. Xie Lian blinked and smiled patiently, taking a few steps toward the young lord. Lifting his hands to touch him, his husband’s palms hovered above his shoulders for a moment.

“May I...?” Xie Lian asked.

Hua Cheng hesitated only for a moment but nodded. Xie Lian gently rested his hands where the red and white layers lay over each other, slipping the edge of the red robes off his shoulder just slightly. The young lord felt his chest tighten, making it difficult to breathe. This was a moment out of every single one of his shameful fantasies while growing up after seeing those paintings.

Why was he still apprehensive? 

Seeming to read his thoughts, his husband stopped and gazed up at him. “We do not have to do anything San Lang doesn’t want. In all honesty… I was nervous, too.” Xie Lian admitted, averting his gaze. “However, we should still rest.”

Nodding once in agreement, Hua Cheng allowed his husband to slowly remove the outer layers. As the moments passed, the young lord observed the details of Xie Lian’s hands up close.

They were smooth and well cared for, but had clearly known the art of swordsmanship. Pale, slender fingers carefully undid his sash, protruding knuckles moving in a calculated dance. With every twist and turn of the wrist, the movements were mesmerizing. Needless to say, as his red and gold robes fell to the floor, Hua Cheng thought his husband’s hands were the most beautiful that he had ever seen, not unlike everything else about the prince.

Eyes meeting for just a moment, the young lord gazed tenderly at the young man in front of him. Xie Lian’s lips were just as red as before, even though they were shrouded in the shadows of the room. Hua Cheng realized that even if being sexually intimate was too much for right now, he really, really wanted to kiss him.

Bringing his hand up to his cheek, he mimicked what his husband had done earlier and hovered for just a moment, waiting for permission. Xie Lian’s eyes flitted to his hand and then nodded. Caressing his thumb against the skin, his husband’s face was warm and flushed. Hua Cheng leaned a little closer, and he could hear Xie Lian’s breath hitch in his throat. He paused for a moment before saying anything.

“... May I steal a kiss? Nothing more, I promise.” Hua Cheng asked nervously. “This one has wanted to for… a while.”

Xie Lian’s eyes widened, and he bit his lip. “I... That… That should be fine.” He said quietly.

Feeling his husband’s cheeks heat up more under his fingers, Hua Cheng smiled patiently. “His Highness must give a straight answer. This San Lang will not do anything unless you want it as well.”

The young lord somehow kept his composure even though his heart was racing. Hua Cheng’s gaze would flit around every so often, not being able to keep eye contact for long. Even so, he would still catch glimpses of those shining, amber eyes. Suddenly, Xie Lian leaned forward, pressing his velvety lips just on the corner of Hua Cheng’s mouth and parting quickly.

An electric shock shot down his spine. The young lord looked down at him again and smirked. “To think that gege was a thief all this time. He’s quite the scoundrel.” Hua Cheng teased.

His husband chuckled, and Hua Cheng’s heart fluttered in his chest. Looking up, Xie Lian’s eyes glinted playfully. “San Lang was too slow, I’m afraid. Perhaps if he tried again…” He said.

Taking this opportunity after catching on to his husband’s little game, he leaned down and pressed their lips together again gently, closing his eyes. Xie Lian made a small noise in reaction, but melted into the kiss almost immediately. He slowly wrapped his arms around Hua Cheng’s neck, pushing on the back of his head and pressing their faces closer. The young lord, in turn, wrapped his arms around his husband’s waist, careful not to press their bodies together much.

The two stayed like this for a moment, simply enjoying the warmth that radiated from one another. Heat rushed throughout his entire body, his lips and cheeks tingling from blush.

Hua Cheng was the first to part, panting quietly. Heat had travelled up his neck and to the tips of his ears, causing him to feel somewhat dizzy.

The young lord understood why people did this so much now. When you started, how could you ever stop?

Hua Cheng slid his hand ever-so-slightly so his fingers rested at the back of the prince's neck, just along the hairline. Xie Lian bit his bottom lip, his expression one that Hua Cheng had seen before, but never appreciated until now.

The lord smiled and closed his eyes. Nervous butterflies swirled in his stomach. “Gege... It’s your turn now.” Hua Cheng whispered.

Having closed his eyes first made this next kiss much more intense. The corners of Hua Cheng's mouth tingled as Xie Lian pressed their lips together once more. He let out a quiet sigh, feeling his entire body relax.

This felt so soft, so natural. Even though both of them had been incredibly nervous only moments before, all of that melted away like frost in spring. Once the two had started, though, it seemed like they couldn’t get enough of each other's lips. Eventually, they did have to lie down together under the covers. Parting was a little awkward, as was sliding into bed together, but it very quickly dissipated. Hua Cheng turned to face the prince, who had apparently been waiting for that moment, as he pounced.

Hua Cheng had not been expecting Xie Lian to kiss him again, and certainly not with so much energy. Mismatched eyes wide, he let out an embarrassing squeak. But he quickly recovered, both of them giggling like mischievous children.

The young lord couldn't lie and say that he wasn't enjoying himself.

They kissed and talked quietly until Xie Lian had dozed off. Hua Cheng gazed at his husband’s sleeping face, the peacefulness making his heart swell in adoration.

The young lord never thought that he would find someone who understood him as well as Xie Lian seemed to. Even just a year ago, it seemed impossible. He thought of all the questions he wanted to ask, looking forward to showing him different parts of Paradise Manor as well as Silver City, imagining those excited gasps and exclamations. Smiling to himself, he flipped through every little idea until he finally dozed off.

However, even with the prince, good moments were fleeting. 

Hua Cheng closed his eyes, waiting for his father to strike him with the flask. 

Suddenly, the dream changed. There was the slashing of swords and the sound of rain hitting the scorched earth. Cold water splattered against his body, and he slowly opened his eyes. 

Standing before him was a glowing figure with long flowing hair and a crown of gold. The forest that surrounded him was now green, sunlight shining through the leaves and dappling onto the grass. 

Even with all this beauty, the figure before him shone brighter than any sunrise, any full moon. 

Although Hua Cheng could not see the face, the figure reached out to him and opened his mouth to speak.

“San Lang?!”


Hua Cheng’s mismatched eyes fluttered open. Xie Lian was leaning over him, eyes wide and panicked.

The young lord's mismatched eyes widened. The prince always looked put together when they had seen each other in the past. But this time, His Highness Xie Lian had one of the worst cases of bedhead that he had ever seen.

Hua Cheng couldn’t help it. A sleepy chuckle made its way from his chest, and he grinned. Xie Lian frowned at him and sat up, pouting.

“San Lang, knock it off. You were crying in your sleep, I was worried.” Xie Lian chided.

Hua Cheng hummed thoughtfully, stifling his mirth. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. This one was simply having a bad dream, forgive me.” He said, his voice low and groggy from sleep. His husband glanced back down at him, his gaze concerned but curious. Hua Cheng sighed and looked up at the red silks that draped around the bedposts.

The lord recounted the dream in vague detail, not once glancing at the man next to him as he did so. However, Hua Cheng paused just before the part that had not been so familiar as all the other dreams before.

“And then…” Hua Cheng began.

“Then? What happens?” Xie Lian asked, his eyes full of concern.

Xie Lian had found Hua Cheng’s hand during this time and had woven their fingers together absentmindedly. The young lord’s heart thumped, and he gazed up at the prince. As the sunlight came in through the window, Xie Lian was not unlike the golden figure that saved him in the dream, cinnabar huadian and all. 

Hua Cheng smiled softly. “A golden prince came down and commanded rain from the heavens, destroyed the demons plaguing my dreams, and made the forest green once more. He was about to speak to me... when I heard your voice.” He said, his mismatched eyes lidded. 

Gotcha. Blush spread across his husband’s cheeks, and he looked away shyly. Hua Cheng sat up slowly and tucked his finger under his chin, lifting Xie Lian’s gaze to meet his.

The young lord noticed that those white inner robes had become looser in the night, one side slipping off his smooth, pale shoulder. Feeling the blush rise, he cleared his throat. “Thank you for your concern. I will try not to burden you again.” Hua Cheng said.

Xie Lian frowned. “San Lang…” He muttered.

Leaning forward, the young lord gently pecked his husband’s forehead, earning a flustered noise in response. He could tell that the prince was still concerned for him, but why should he be? Everything was completely fine. 

Hua Cheng chuckled in amusement. “This one remembered that gege has never seen the armory here. Would he like to?” He asked, grinning.

Xie Lian seemed to forget everything about their prior conversation immediately. His eyes shone with excitement, and he nodded. “Yes! I– I would love that!” He exclaimed.

At that, Hua Cheng found himself getting ready for the day faster than he ever had before, anticipation swirling in his chest. 

Chapter Text

— Hua Cheng

“San Lang, this is too much!” Xie Lian cried. 

“Certainly not for His Highness. Paradise Manor and all its treasures are mine to give as I see fit.” Hua Cheng replied, mismatched eyes glinting earnestly.

Like most of Paradise Manor, the floors and walls of the armory were constructed from dark wood. Red silks and paper lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting a low, warm light about the room as overcast winter gray seeped through the window.  

Several types of weapons hung on the walls, and others were stored in red fabric-lined cases on tables positioned in the center of the room. Though most of these weapons were different swords and sabers, the collection was no less remarkable.

Probably less than His Highness was used to. 

Xie Lian glanced down at his feet and scratched his cheek with the tip of his finger. It was a small fidget of nervousness that Hua Cheng had the glorious opportunity to observe only once or twice. He found it quite adorable. 

His husband lifted his gaze, sighing in defeat. “Lord Jun Wu would be displeased. He thought San Lang might be better at denying me these sorts of treats.” Xie Lian said.

The young lord had immaculate composure, though the urge to roll his eyes and scoff was immense. 

Jun Wu should have no power in the Ning Clan, Paradise Manor, or in his husband’s mind. 

Hua Cheng hummed thoughtfully, running the tips of his fingers along the hilt of a silver scimitar in its sheath on display beside where he stood. “We’re married now, yes?” He asked. 

Xie Lian seemed to hesitate, but he nodded. “... Mm.”

Hua Cheng gazed at him sincerely. “Then what’s mine is yours. There is no room for guilt in accepting gifts.”

The excited shine in Xie Lian’s eyes triggered the corners of the young lord’s mouth to twitch upward.  “And why shouldn’t I spoil His Highness? After all, he’s been so generous already.” Hua Cheng mused, grinning at the way the prince quickly turned his back to busy himself with the several swords on the wall, likely to hide his profuse blushing. 

With that, Hua Cheng lifted the scimitar he had been eyeing from the display with two hands, turning it over and gazing at the red stone embedded at the base of the handle. 

Learning how to wield a scimitar had been the best way to spend his time growing up, indeed. This blade in particular was the reason that any piece of trash who stepped foot into Silver City would quake with fear, besides the lord’s ghastly appearance. Memories of blood spilling across the sides of establishments, in the sand, swirling in the salty shores filled his mind as he gazed at the hilt. 

Hua Cheng swallowed. Had Xie Lian heard of these stories? How was the prince not terrified to be alone with him?

Glancing over at the prince in question, Hua Cheng noticed that the blade gripped in Xie Lian’s hands remained sheathed. The guard and the pommel were golden, an intricate pattern carved into them depicting a flower engulfed by flames. Smooth, black leather cord was braided over the equally dark polished wood of the handle, the two materials hardly distinguishable under low light. 

Then, after Xie Lian had observed the details for a long time, he grasped the handle and unsheathed the double-edged blade. Hua Cheng fought down a shudder— it was just as cold and dark as he remembered, resembling black jade. 

The first time he laid eyes on this sword was years ago, when the last of Xianle’s treasures were dug out from beneath the ashes and distributed between the clan leaders after the fires had burned most everything else. Hua Cheng had been small, but as his mother explained where all of these things came from, he couldn’t help but feel awful for the older boy they had taken in, who called himself Qi Rong. 

Even if the imperial kingdom system was “outdated” and times had changed, Hua Cheng couldn’t help but feel as though the collective suffering of plague, insanity, and raging fires was somehow preserved in that blade. 

Despite that lingering sense of despair, as the man in front of him turned the sword over in his hands and swung it around to get a feel for the weight, the young lord felt a trickle of nerves down his spine. 

Xie Lian’s warm aura seemed to cancel out the coldness that emanated from the blade like the first thaw of spring, allowing the streams to flow again freely and icicles to fall. 

Hua Cheng smiled. “The blade suits you.”

Xie Lian ran the pads of two fingers over the fuller of the blade. “... It’s beautiful. Does it have a name?” He asked in barely contained awe.

“Fang Xin.”

Just above a whisper, Xie Lian repeated the title quietly and seemed to savor it on his tongue. He grinned, an excited glint in his amber eyes. “San Lang says the blade suits me?”

Hua Cheng’s stomach flipped. “Mm. It does.”

“Shall we test that theory?” The prince asked. Lifting Fang Xin, he widened his stance and glanced up at the young lord, waiting. 

Hua Cheng smirked, more than happy to accept his husband’s sparring proposal. Sliding the scimitar from its sheath, the silver shone, and the red gem glinted in the low light of the armory. 

Glancing at Xie Lian, Hua Cheng reciprocated the stance and raised the scimitar. “... Gladly, Your Highness.”

Mismatched red and black stared into shining amber, breaths bated. 

Suddenly, Hua Cheng made the first move, lunging forward. Xie Lian was quick to counter, their blades singing as they clashed. The prince’s feet glided across the floor of the armory, his movements graceful and precise. 

Just like in the garden months ago, the two were evenly matched in a perfect dance, back and forth. This time, however, Hua Cheng was much more in his element, the scimitar practically gliding through the air with spirited and wild energy. 

Xie Lian, although handling a new weapon, adapted easily, moving with the utmost grace of his training. The prince countered, dodged, and swung with perfect, unparalleled precision. 

Truly, the prince lived up to his title of the best warrior in Wuyong. 

Suddenly, Xie Lian hooked Fang Xin under the silver scimitar, and it flew from Hua Cheng’s grip, his pale fingers brushing against the handle as he fruitlessly tried to catch it. The silver clattered to the floor and slid several paces away from them, Hua Cheng falling along with it with a thud. 

In less time than it took to gasp for air, the tip of Fang Xin whispered against crimson robes. The soft scratching sound forced Hua Cheng to swallow, feeling like he could choke on his own throat. The young lord’s back was pressed against the dark wood floors, not daring to lean further than sitting on his elbows. 

Mismatched eyes glanced upward, taking in the magnificent sight before him: 

Xie Lian towered above him, his petal-like lips parted. His chest rose and fell as he panted quietly, the sword bouncing slowly up and down with each breath. Beads of sweat glistened on his gentle brows, and his smooth cheeks were slightly flushed. 

The prince looked regal and powerful in this position, with not a hair out of place. 

Heat rushed to Hua Cheng’s cheeks, partly from allowing himself to fumble so easily. Though he had to admit, it was mostly because of how handsome his husband looked like this. 

Thoughts very easily wandered, and the young lord was thankful that the light redness on his cheeks could be excused. 

Slowly, Xie Lian began to smile at him, and Hua Cheng reciprocated. The prince then puffed out an airy laugh and lowered Fang Xin. The prince held out his hand to Hua Cheng, pulling the young lord to his feet.

“San Lang is very skilled. That scimitar is quite the blade.” Xie Lian complimented, his amber eyes lidded. “It lives up to its reputation.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. This one hasn’t been overpowered during a spar for years.” Hua Cheng said, grinning. His husband smiled triumphantly, clearly savoring the victory and the praise.

Cute. 

Hua Cheng smirked. “However… ”

A few rapid movements, and the young lord disarmed Xie Lian easily. Gentle wrists were seized, and the prince’s arms were pinned behind him, Hua Cheng making very sure not to bring any harm to his husband. A quiet, surprised noise slipped past Xie Lian’s lips, and Fang Xin clattered loudly as it fell to the floor. 

Bodies pressed together in more ways than one, this would have been awkward had the young lord not been so focused on his favorite hobby of flustering the prince. Sure enough, Xie Lian squirmed under Hua Cheng’s grip, but the young lord merely grinned. 

“S-San Lang…?” Xie Lian muttered. 

Leaning forward to the prince’s ear, Hua Cheng asked mischievously:  “Is gege up for a rematch?”

✧

— Xie Lian

Spending the day in the armory left them famished and worn out, so the two newlyweds spent the rest of the day lounging and eating together. Neither of them seemed to get bored with conversing with each other, which fascinated the prince. 

Whenever Xie Lian had conversations with most people, they either felt one-sided, overly complicated, or both. More often than not, he would feel that he either had to pay full attention and never get a word in, or he could say his piece and risk running the other person over. 

Feng Xin and Mu Qing were the first people in Xie Lian’s life who made him feel at least somewhat understood, even if it was technically their jobs to listen to him. This never helped. 

Unlike interacting with his attendants, conversations with Hua Cheng were always enjoyable, despite the lord’s shameless and relentless flirting. More often than not, Xie Lian would find himself almost completely overtaken with blush at the memories of what that beautifully low voice had whispered to him. 

Pressing a pillow to his face, he would roll around in bed until his sheets were cocooned so tightly around him that he’d be stuck for the night until Mu Qing would come to help him get ready for the day. 

Initially, Hua Cheng’s reputation of being a recluse who only showed himself to viciously handle anyone who crossed him had the prince practically shaking at their first meeting. It was only when Xie Lian visited him early on, and as they wrote letters to each other, that the prince was able to peer through a window into the lord’s layered personality. 

Hua Cheng was sweet, yet mischievous— incredibly charming, and very, very handsome. 

Xie Lian wondered if he would be safe to reveal his true identity to Hua Cheng. Every time the mere thought would flutter by, his stomach would drop to the floor, and he would rush to distract himself. 

Jun Wu had taken him in, after all. Xie Lian was found as a baby on a riverbank, still held in the arms of a thief. It would be a horrible way to repay that kindness, should his husband report to the Clan Council. 

Of course, the leaders would jump at the opportunity to slay the last remaining member of the Xianle royal family line— why wouldn’t they? Among that group of leaders would include Hua Cheng. 

Thus, Xie Lian continued to masquerade as the heir of Wuyong, and nothing else. Not that it took much effort.

Evening came quickly, the mist cascading down the mountains into the valley and blanketing the earth in translucence. Xie Lian and Hua Cheng walked by the garden where they had first met, the same jade bench sitting underneath the same cherry tree. 

To combat the late autumnal chill, the two wore heavier cloaks made of soft wool, lined with equally soft animal fur. Hua Cheng’s was dyed his signature shade of crimson, while Xie Lian’s was white as fresh snow. 

The young lord leaned closer to the prince, bending by his slender torso. “Does gege like it?” Hua Cheng asked.

“Hm? Oh, the cloak? Yes, it’s nice.” Xie Lian said. “I did have my own though…”

“But this one’s better, isn’t it?” Hua Cheng pressed, that foxy demeanor peeking its head out of its burrow once more. 

Xie Lian gently pushed his shoulder. “San Lang…” He chided. “Stop fishing for compliments.”

“This one would never, Your Highness.” Hua Cheng replied, grinning. 

“So insincere…” Xie Lian muttered, shaking his head. 

Hua Cheng laughed, his breath misty in the chilly air. That delightful laugh always made the prince feel warm, and he couldn’t help but smile, nor be annoyed with him… at least not for too long, anyway. 

Silence returned, the only sound that of their footsteps against the wood of the bridges connecting the different wings of Paradise Manor. Hua Cheng lifted his hands from where they were placed at the base of his back to fiddle with his sleeves absentmindedly. The prince glanced down at his husband’s slender fingers, porcelain skin almost white against the crimson. 

Xie Lian had seen the lord’s hands a few times now, but never seemed to get used to them. One simple word continuously played in his mind whenever he would have the opportunity to look at them, or any part of his new husband’s body: pretty. 

Then, Xie Lian noticed that Hua Cheng’s knuckles had turned pink from the cold. Without much thought, he halted his steps and reached out to grasp those gorgeous hands. Immediately, the prince suppressed a shiver of his own at how icy they felt. 

The young lord was forced to stop, his body twisting toward where the prince grasped him. Hua Cheng’s breath hitched in surprise, and he pressed his lips tightly together, making him look uncharacteristically nervous. Only then did Xie Lian notice that his hands were shaking.

Was touching him so suddenly too much? Had he caught him off guard?

Swallowing anxiously as butterflies swirled in his stomach, Xie Lian felt his face heat up despite the cold. “San Lang…” He muttered. 

“H-Hm?”

Biting his lip, Xie Lian decided that burdening his husband with potentially awkward questions was not the best choice at the moment. Especially not while he was clearly uncomfortable and cold. 

Xie Lian smiled softly, exhaling. “Let’s go inside. You’re shivering.” 

“But–”

Before Hua Cheng could protest, his nose wrinkled and his mismatched eyes squinted. He jerked his head away to the side and sneezed with a small squeak. Xie Lian startled, his eyes wide. Sniffling, Hua Cheng glanced down at the prince with a strangely pathetic expression, his mismatched eyes shining pitifully in the lantern light. 

Xie Lian’s other hand flew up to his mouth, and his shoulders began to quake. 

Who knew that the terrifying lord of the Ning Clan, who ruled over Silver City with an iron fist, could be so adorable as to squeak when he sneezed? It was too much to bear. 

As the young lord furrowed his brows into what could only be described as a pout, Xie Lian couldn’t hold back his mirth anymore. He pushed out an apology between his giggles. 

Hua Cheng groaned in embarrassment. “ Gege… ”

“Forgive me, San Lang. Let’s just go inside…” Xie Lian managed.

After a moment, Hua Cheng’s embarrassed expression softened, and he gently squeezed Xie Lian’s hand. The lord nodded, and the prince promptly led his shivering husband back to their sleeping chambers for the night. 

Like most rooms in Paradise Manor, opening the doors meant warm air and jasmine incense enveloping his senses like a welcoming embrace. He sighed quietly— Xie Lian had come to adore this smell, even if Lord Jun Wu seemed to despise it with his entire being, as if it were the worst thing to scourge humanity. It was the scent of San Lang. 

His adoptive father had complained practically the entire way to Wuyong after they had visited Paradise Manor for the first time, much to Xie Lian’s annoyance. 

The day that Hua Cheng had snuck into his bedroom dressed like a deviant ready to kidnap him for ransom, Xie Lian was met with a third glorious opportunity to experience that scent again— he felt like he was being a little bit of a creep, but he couldn’t help it. 

It had become especially clear multiple times when Hua Cheng had wrapped his arms around his waist, that Xie Lian was completely captivated by his then-fiancé. Holding him so closely, the prince had been forced to press his nose into that beautiful neck, discovering how sturdy Hua Cheng’s frame truly was. Feeling that chest pressed against his back as they rode to Wuyong after their mischievous adventure filled his stomach with butterflies. 

Because of this, the lord’s earthy sweetness permeated the prince’s every dream of him for the past several months. How embarrassing it had been, yet Xie Lian couldn’t help but wish for more moments of being that close to Hua Cheng, though certainly for more reasons than how good he smelled. 

At least for now, Xie Lian would never be able to escape that scent, much to his unadulterated delight.

Glancing over at his husband, he noticed that Hua Cheng had moved to sit on the bed. He removed the crimson outer cloak and pulled back the several layers of equally crimson bed covers. The lord promptly curled up under the blankets, his head barely visible by the pillows. 

A quiet groan of comfort left the mound. Xie Lian had the biggest urge to run over and tackle him. 

Choosing instead to restrain himself, Xie Lian took off his white cloak and set it atop the dresser in a bundled pile. The prince sauntered over, sitting down on the edge of the bed. Glancing down, the only other sign that Hua Cheng was under the covers was the thick, inky strands of hair that draped across the pillows. 

Xie Lian smiled and hummed thoughtfully. “Does San Lang not like the cold?”

There was a pause, and Hua Cheng sighed, his voice muffled under the layers. “No. This one has always had a hard time staying warm.”

“I see.”

Once the prince thought about it, Hua Cheng seemed much more energetic at the engagement announcement as opposed to the chilly spring morning when they met. Initially, Xie Lian thought it was just nerves, but this made much more sense as to why his husband would prefer warmer weather. 

Silence returned once more, and Xie Lian heard Hua Cheng sniffle under the blankets. However, this wasn’t enough to keep the prince’s mind from wandering. 

As his hand pressed into the crimson bedsheets, the prince remembered how he had practically thrown himself at Hua Cheng the moment they had been permitted to be alone after the reception. Guilt churned his stomach as images flashed in his mind of how his husband had staggered backward into the dresser, anxiety shining in those beautiful mismatched irises. 

Xie Lian swallowed— the last thing he wanted was for Hua Cheng to be uncomfortable around him, and he just might have ruined everything in that regard. 

He sighed. “San Lang… Did I upset you?” Xie Lian asked quietly, biting back nervousness.

Hua Cheng seemed reluctant to come out of his blanket cave. Several moments passed before the fabric shifted, and the young lord slowly sat up. Those inky strands billowed around his shoulders, the blankets still covering most of his body. White inner robes were tucked very tightly around his frame. 

“What could His Highness have done that would have upset me? He has been very gracious to this one.” Hua Cheng said, shooting him a soft smile. 

Xie Lian pressed his lips together, resisting the urge to avert his gaze. The prince took his husband’s hand, gently caressing his thumb over those pale knuckles. Xie Lian noticed that Hua Cheng had warmed up considerably since crawling into bed. 

Still, the prince’s guilt stubbornly remained.

“... Can San Lang promise that I was not too forward last night? That he wanted to wait to… to… um– for another reason?” Xie Lian asked.

Xie Lian knew he would be unable to say what he was referring to without being overtaken with blush, and he needed to be serious right now. Thankfully, his husband seemed to understand what he meant. 

Hua Cheng’s mismatched eyes widened with concern, and he gently squeezed Xie Lian’s hands. The small gesture of comfort made the prince’s heart flutter.

“I promise. If anything, this one was afraid you were upset at being refused.” Hua Cheng said earnestly. 

“Of course not! S-San Lang, I…” Xie Lian said, unable to finish his sentence. His plan to remain serious had completely failed. “I could never…”

The corner of his husband’s mouth twitched upward in a small smirk, and Xie Lian’s stomach flipped. Hua Cheng then patted the spot on the bed beside him, silently beckoning the prince to sit. Xie Lian swallowed and stood, shuffling around to the other side. 

Once the prince had settled himself on the bed, Hua Cheng immediately wrapped an arm around his shoulders and pulled their bodies closer. Xie Lian froze— his husband’s grasp was firm, but gentle and comforting.

The two sat in silence for a moment. If Xie Lian moved, or so much as breathed wrong, he felt he might ruin this. Hua Cheng leaned his head against the prince’s shoulder, and he flinched at the contact.

“Is this alright, gege?” Hua Cheng muttered. 

“... Mhm.” Xie Lian hummed, unable to produce more than that.

The young lord’s body relaxed at that, taking a deep breath and sighing. Xie Lian cursed his heartbeat for being so thunderous.

Hua Cheng hissed a breath through his teeth. Xie Lian could feel his husband’s body quiver next to him, still much colder than it should’ve been. 

The prince wondered how he might be able to warm him up. 

Without much thought, Xie Lian turned his head and gently kissed the top of his husband’s head, taking a breath— that sweet, earthy smell sent a comforting prickle down his spine. 

Hua Cheng pressed himself closer, his grip on the man in white tightening. 

Xie Lian lifted a hand and tucked it under his husband’s jaw, lifting his head just enough to notice that his nose and cheeks were pink. 

Hua Cheng shifted his body so that he wasn’t grasping the prince so tightly, but a hand still remained on Xie Lian’s shoulder. The prince shifted with him, inadvertently cupping his husband’s cheek, running the pad of his thumb along that beautifully high cheekbone. 

What was he doing?!

He couldn’t stop now. Unconsciously or not, the two leaned closer, and Xie Lian’s heart pounded in his chest. He could feel his husband’s breath on his lower lip, and he fought down a shiver. Hua Cheng’s dark eye shone like the night sky, and his red one like a ruby, more beautiful than any precious stone he had seen in all his life.

Agonizing silence filled the room. Xie Lian wasn’t sure if the heat rising in his body was from the room or his body reacting to how intensely Hua Cheng gazed at him. 

Suddenly, Hua Cheng grabbed the front of the prince’s outer robes and closed the gap between them, practically slamming their lips together. 

“ Mmf–! ” A small but shocked noise escaped Xie Lian’s throat, but he didn’t have the wherewithal to care. 

As his husband pulled him under the covers, Xie Lian's mind hazed over, and he began to truly feel how cold Hua Cheng’s body still was. Wrapping his arms around him, the prince pressed their bodies together.

Hands went to Xie Lian’s dark hair, the cold fingertips against his scalp sending a soothing chill down his spine. He let out a quiet groan, not thinking about where this might lead, the guilt and previous conversation quickly forgotten in the heat of everything. 

Shifting down from Hua Cheng’s beautiful lips, Xie Lian kissed the corner of that angled mouth and then moved to his neck. His skin was soft and much warmer here. 

The lord’s body squirmed under his weight. “Gege…” Hua Cheng moaned softly.

Their bodies froze simultaneously. Xie Lian quickly parted from his neck and stared down at him, amber eyes wide. Hua Cheng’s breath hitched in his throat, his mouth a thin line, and his eyebrows furrowed in an embarrassed expression. 

As the haze in his mind cleared, it was suddenly made quite apparent to Xie Lian that a certain area on his body, right between his thighs, was very hot and aroused. 

OH MY GODS WHY??!!

As much as he wanted to experience more of his husband and continue, the conversation from last night swarmed his mind. Was he really such a person that he couldn't hold back from someone's very reasonable request? After they just had a conversation about it?!

Completely mortified, Xie Lian quickly rolled over, throwing the covers off himself. 

“Forgive me–!” Xie Lian cried. 

“Wait– Your Highness–!” Hua Cheng called after him. 

“ Forgive me! ” Xie Lian repeated, practically throwing himself out of the bedchamber.

Hua Cheng sat on the bed, completely dumbfounded. 

Chapter Text

—Hua Cheng

The young lord had not been more confused in his entire life. 

As his husband, Prince Xie Lian, rushed out of their bedchambers in just his now disheveled robes, without his cloak, Hua Cheng called after him. "Wait– Your Highness–!"

“Forgive me! ” Xie Lian cried.

The door was left haphazardly flung open, and damp, cold air seeped into the room. For the first time in his life, Hua Cheng could hardly pay attention to the drop in temperature.

The young lord's normally pale skin was now splotchy with color, and his entire body felt hot. He grasped at his chest, his heart hammering beneath his ribcage. Strange excitement rushed through his veins, and Hua Cheng fought down the urge to laugh like a lunatic. 

Had... He... Caused His Highness to get aroused?? Why did he feel proud of this??

Wiping his nervousness off his palms on his clothed thighs, Hua Cheng blinked several times, trying to process what had just happened.

The prince had been here just moments before, between his legs. His stupid, gangly legs that he could have very easily wrapped around that strong frame. It would have taken no effort to pull him closer, to feel every inch of those firm, muscular arms holding him together if they continued.

Xie Lian's lips had pressed against his mouth and his neck so gently. Every time they had, it sent sparks through his entire system, filling him with an unparalleled excitement and greed.

Hua Cheng wanted, needed, those sweet kisses all over his body, he... 

Heat prickled beneath his cheeks, and he ran his tongue over his teeth. The young lord had felt the brush of that stiff heat against his inner thigh. Hua Cheng had felt it twitch when he accidentally moaned, and he had been just as shamefully disappointed when the prince had backed away. 

Hua Cheng slicked back his hair with his hands nervously. He had moaned, and His Highness had heard him. 

A shaky, despairing little sigh left his lips. Xie Lian must have been afraid of him— that was the only reasonable explanation as to why the prince had run off so quickly.

Hua Cheng was known for being monstrous after all. Of course, the moment he let his guard down, it all crumbled. Even if His Highness had been eager to kiss him, that was probably only to distract him and make up for what they were supposed to be doing. 

... What they were supposed to be doing.

Squeezing his eyes shut, he groaned in exasperation. He was the one who had asked to wait! Why did this have to be so fucking difficult? Couldn't he just make up his damn mind?!

"My Lord?" 

Hua Cheng's entire body jolted, and he looked up at his attendant standing in the open doorway. "Y-Yes?" Hua Cheng accidentally stammered. "What are you doing here?"

There was a long pause before Yin Yu finally took a step into the chambers and shut the door behind him. The middle-aged man made no move to step closer to the bed and simply stared at Hua Cheng. 

The young lord averted his gaze. 

"I was finishing up my nightly duties... I think I should be asking you the same thing." Yin Yu said, eyebrows raised. "Why was His Highness running away like he'd seen a ghost? What happened?" 

Hua Cheng stiffened. "I... Yin Yu, I don't know what I'm doing." He admitted. "Am I just bad at this?"

The attendant paused for a moment and then chuckled, not moving from his position by the door. "Young master... You expect so much from yourself when you've only read books on the basics. His Highness is most likely nervous."

"Because of my reputation? ... My appearance?" Hua Cheng muttered. 

Yin Yu sighed exasperatedly. "Aiya, child..."

Hua Cheng whipped his head and glanced upward. Yin Yu hadn't used that tone with him since he was very young, and it made him nervous. 

The attendant rubbed his forehead, and his greying brows were furrowed in frustration. "You assume the worst. If he was so worried about that, don't you think he would've run by now, or perhaps tried to renegotiate the betrothal?" Yin Yu chided. 

The young lord continued to sit there, the cogs in his brain turning ever so slowly with new grease. 

"Lord Jun Wu is powerful enough. He would have been able to pull strings if the prince had so much as given a whisper of doubt." Yin Yu insisted. "We both know this."

There was no arguing— what the attendant said was blatantly true. The young lord shook his head. "But—" Hua Cheng started. 

"None of that!" Yin Yu hissed. "Now, are you just going to let him run off and get himself lost, or are you going to fix this?!"

Waving a hand toward the door, he gestured in the general direction of where the prince had run off. His tone was harsh, but his expression and gleaming eyes said everything.

Hua Cheng nodded once and threw the crimson covers off. Yanking his cloak off the dresser and draping it around himself, he then grasped Xie Lian's white cloak and opened the door. Before he broke into a run, he glanced back at Yin Yu, who now smiled softly at him. 

"Go on!" The attendant seemed to say as he waved him off. 

✧

— Xie Lian

The prince's chest heaved as he dashed around every corner he came across, determined to get as far away from the sleeping chambers as he possibly could. Footsteps pounded against the wooden panels of the connecting bridges, and his mind somehow raced faster than his legs could carry him. 

This was awful! He might as well just call himself a degenerate and be done with it!

Skirting to a stop in front of a pair of large doors, Xie Lian threw them open and shut them behind himself just as quickly. Bending forward at the waist, he planted his hands on his thighs and panted heavily.

Xie Lian's heart hammered in his chest, and he gritted his teeth. A thick, tight lump formed in his throat, and his eyes grew hot with tears. 

No, no, no!! He would not cry! What a mess!

Xie Lian took a shuddering breath and stood tall, steeling himself. "A distraction. That's what I need. I need a distraction." He muttered to himself. 

The armory of Paradise Manor was the only place the prince knew to flee, as it gave him a million different things to busy himself with.

Xie Lian marched toward a cabinet and flung open the drawers that Hua Cheng had mentioned held the cleaning supplies, not that the prince "would ever need to use them". Well, now, he would. 

Not having anything better to do, he set to work, polishing the straight swords, the curved ones, all of differing materials and decoration. 

However, amidst all of the things he was busying himself with, he could not slow his thoughts, nor pay attention to the contents of the armory.

The recent heated moment was fresh in his mind. The sensation of those beautiful, chilled fingertips pressing into his skin, sending pleasurable prickles down his spine. Those soft, angled lips married with Hua Cheng's sweet, hot breath against the shell of his ear. The tender way his husband had moaned that endearing little nickname... 

Heat surged through the prince's body once more like a raging magma river. The pathways to such shameful desires had already been wide open for months, and this encounter with Hua Cheng certainly hadn't helped. Now, the doors had been flung wide open for all to see. 

"Fuck!" Xie Lian cried in exasperation, then immediately gasped at himself, clapping his hands over his mouth. 

The curved sword he was polishing clattered to the floor. The loud noise made him jump, and his eyes welled with stupid, hot tears again. Breath hissing through his teeth, Xie Lian threw his head back and growled in frustration. He fisted his white robes, his palms shaking. 

Was he losing it? What was wrong with him?!

Suddenly, just as the prince was about to start throwing an entire unholy fit of frustration, a low, smooth voice startled him out of his thoughts. 

"Your Highness?" Hua Cheng asked. "What are you doing?"

Xie Lian whipped around and stared at him.

The young lord was still in his white inner robes, with just his crimson cloak to cover himself with. His back was leaning up against the doors, folded behind him. The expression on his face was unreadable, and Xie Lian was completely frozen where he stood. 

Then, it all came pouring out. "I... I... I'm so sorry!!!" Xie Lian cried.

Hua Cheng's brows raised in shock. "What?"

"You said last night that you wanted to wait! And then I just threw myself at you anyway!" Xie Lian rambled, his pitch rising as his throat tightened, the sweat on his palms making it even harder to think. "San Lang made such a simple request, and I didn't honor that! I'm a disgusting pig! Driven by my selfish desires! I understand if you never want to see me! Again! I've disrespected you!!! Dishonored our relationship, I—"

Xie Lian was cut off as the young lord had strode up to him and grasped his shoulders tightly. "Why are you apologizing?!" Hua Cheng exclaimed, his voice breaking. 

Xie Lian was stunned into shocked silence. The lord had never raised his voice around him before, and his breath stuttered in his throat. Amber eyes bulging and dark brows raised, he pressed his lips together in a thin line. 

Hardly a moment passed before Hua Cheng gritted his teeth and promptly released his grip on Xie Lian's shoulders, hurriedly turning his back and bowing his head. 

His heart ached. "S-San Lang?" Xie Lian muttered. 

"... Your Highness said that he had heard of the rumors about me, right? ... People call me a monster, demon spawn, what have you." Hua Cheng said quietly, waving his hand incredulously.

"Yes...?"

"Even if they don't say it, the way they act around me is enough. The fear that runs through their veins when they hear the name 'Lord Crimson Rain' is unrivaled. It has even the most revered bandit kings on the run." Hua Cheng continued. 

Xie Lian listened quietly, sweat beading on his brow and his heart not planning on slowing anytime soon. 

"Is it so completely out of the question that I thought that the moment I unleashed my desires, His Highness might feel the same as everyone else?" Hua Cheng explained, turning toward the prince once more, his voice quaking. "That he might turn and run just as quickly in terror? That I might harm him?! Even just now, I put my hands on you right in the middle of your sentence!"

The young lord was practically on the verge of tears, and yet, Xie Lian's heart skipped a beat. "Y-Your... desires...?" He asked, his earlobes pricking with heat. 

"I— Yes!! My shameful, unholy desires about you that I've had for months!" Hua Cheng sputtered. "You didn't throw yourself at me, it was the opposite! I only asked to wait last night because the reality of being in bed with you came crashing down on me!"

Oh. Oh. 

"And then I wanted to at least give you the satisfaction of being kissed, but the moment that I did, I found myself wanting more. I've done everything I possibly could to hold back, and I just... couldn't." Hua Cheng said, crossing his arms across his chest, his gaze sinking to the floor in shame. 

Xie Lian stood frozen, completely slack-jawed. The young lord, still in just his inner robes, with disheveled, loose, inky strands, was distraught over his well-ruminated desires... of him.

The prince picked at the hems of his sleeves nervously, taking a step forward. "What... What are your desires?" Xie Lian asked quietly, before he could stop himself. 

"Well, what I wanted to do the moment we shut the door was to tear off your robes, throw you onto the bed, and leave no inch on your body untouched!" Hua Cheng huffed, mismatched eyes gazing into Xie Lian's amber ones with a furrowed brow. "What kind of husband would I be if I did something like that?!" 

Warmth pooled in the base of Xie Lian's stomach, and his cheeks tingled with blush. An errant heart thumped rhythmically beneath his ribcage, rattling his lungs so much that breathing felt like a chore.

Not much thought went into the next step the prince took, quickly becoming only an arm's length away from the young lord. Hua Cheng flinched, seeming to realize what just came out of his mouth. 

"... A good one." Xie Lian replied quietly, a soft smile spreading across his face. "One that I married."

Hua Cheng's angular lips parted ever-so-slightly to say something else, and then he abruptly stopped. His hard, incredulous gaze softened to that of genuine surprise. "... Y-Your Highness?" He said, his voice just above a whisper. 

Xie Lian couldn't help it. He was grinning ear to ear, and the white sleeve he had brought up to his face was hardly enough to cover it. Hua Cheng just confessed wanting to run those beautiful hands all over him, and who knows what else. It was taking everything he had not to immediately pounce.

Hua Cheng's face deflated into a frown. "You're laughing."

"No! No." Xie Lian reassured immediately, lifting his hands to cup Hua Cheng's face. The young lord flinched at the touch, but Xie Lian refused to be deterred. "I... I just think that San Lang might like to know how many nights This Highness has been kept awake by thoughts of him. And... then... he was certainly rougher than that." 

Xie Lian slowly ran the pads of his thumbs along those high cheekbones, his amber gaze taking in every small detail of that perfect face and those beautiful mismatched eyes that he had adored the moment he had the privilege of witnessing them. 

Hua Cheng looked as if he was at a complete loss for words, and almost completely red in the face, so the prince decided to continue, lest he lose his thoughts. "Even if San Lang was a monster, which he isn't," Xie Lian quickly added, "this one wouldn't be opposed. Every part of you is beautiful, and I wish to know all of it." 

The prince tucked a few inky strands behind Hua Cheng's ear, feeling the warmth of the outer shell under the curl of his finger. His expression softened, and his amber eyes twinkled. "People will mock what they do not have the intelligence to understand. And one does not have to be so intelligent to recognize beauty.” Xie Lian paused, trying to organize his racing thoughts into coherent strings. "... I am a prince of a prosperous clan. I have been blessed with many riches and treasures… I have seen much more than I can recall in a single moment.”

Whether conscious or not, the two had leaned closer, their eyes lidded. He could practically taste the young lord's breath, and he could certainly smell the incense on his robes. Xie Lian swallowed, unable to look anywhere besides Hua Cheng's gorgeous midnight and ruby eyes. "And... San Lang… No treasure in this world could possibly compare to you." He concluded, his voice barely above a whisper. 

As his words hung in the air, Xie Lian felt himself starting to panic. His heart was practically bobbing on the back of his tongue with how hard it was pounding. Had he said too much? He said too much, hadn't he? Hua Cheng must think him strange, to be so forward and so, so— 

Just then, Hua Cheng brought their lips together.

Xie Lian's eyes squeezed shut, and his racing thoughts ceased. Melting immediately, he wrapped his arms around Hua Cheng's neck. The young lord, in turn, wrapped his arms securely around the prince's waist, pulling him closer. As their bodies pressed together, Xie Lian let out an involuntary whimper into the kiss. 

"I am done for..." Xie Lian thought, delighted. 

After the prince's slip, his husband seemed encouraged to explore. Hua Cheng's hands were still cold, and his body was cool, but his lips were warm like a balmy summer evening. Those chilled fingertips ran along his spine, sending satisfactory prickles around each disc of bone. Xie Lian hummed quietly. 

Then a cool palm pressed into the small of his back, pushing his hips forward. One of Hua Cheng's thighs nimbly found its way between Xie Lian's and pressed up into his groin, which throbbed to life for the second time this evening. 

"Ah–" Xie Lian gasped as his body jolted, their lips parting for just a moment. "S-San Lang- Mmn!"

The prince hardly had time to be ashamed of how eager he was, as his husband met him halfway, quickly swiping the tip of his wet tongue along his bottom lip. Xie Lian jolted again, but eagerly opened his mouth to allow Hua Cheng access. 

Hua Cheng had been quiet since they began. However, the moment his tongue slipped into Xie Lian's mouth, they both let out a satisfied groan. The prince shivered, sliding his hands up the back of his husband's neck and weaving his fingers through those wild, beautiful, inky strands to press him even closer. 

The young lord's mouth was hot and wet, and his breath was sweeter than the first bite of a crisp apple in autumn. As they tilted their heads, Xie Lian took every opportunity to slowly map out every inch with his tongue, ghosting the tip against those beautiful rows of teeth that had flashed him many a flirtatious grin. 

This seemed to further invigorate him, as Hua Cheng maneuvered them over to the nearest flat surface and nearly stumbled over the prince in his fervor. Xie Lian let out a confused whimper and then a cry. 

In no time at all, the prince's back was flush against the table, lips completely locked in a battle of tongues that he was utterly losing. Not that he minded. 

Hua Cheng's knee was pressed firmly at the apex of Xie Lian's thighs, which twitched angrily. He squirmed helplessly, but made very sure not to push his husband back, lest the young lord think that he had hurt him in some way. 

When they finally parted after several fleeting moments, they were gasping for air, staring at each other with lidded eyes. They were practically on the table, only one of Hua Cheng's feet still on the floor of the armory.

After a moment, the corners of the young lord's mouth twitched upward. Hua Cheng then tucked a piece of Xie Lian's dark hair behind his ear and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, humming. 

"San Lang..." Xie Lian groaned pitifully, fighting down the urge to squirm. "Why did you stop...?" 

"As much as I would like to worship His Highness right here on the table..." Hua Cheng purred, grinning slyly. "We might want to consummate somewhere a little more practical. I want gege to be comfortable."

Xie Lian's palms itched to clap over his face in embarrassment. Seeing as his wrists were pinned above his head, he simply turned his head and shut his eyes tightly. Hua Cheng chuckled and pressed another soft kiss to the hinge of the prince's jaw before helping him to stand. 

Xie Lian's legs shook pitifully, and he clutched his husband's shoulders to stand. His groin twitched almost painfully now, the most sensitive parts seeming to brush against every piece of inconvenient fabric. Biting his lip, he looked up at Hua Cheng.

He must have had the most pathetic look on his face, as a positively shit-eating grin spread across Hua Cheng's lips. "... Shall this didi show gege what I really wanted to do last night?" He asked coyly. "I think he might like it, since he said I was so rough in those fantasies of his."

"San Lang!" Xie Lian cried, burying his face in his hands. 

But he hadn't said no. 

✧

— Meanwhile, amidst the chaos

A man in green robes writhed around on the dark floor of his locked chamber, ears clawed to the point of bleeding. Whether he was conscious or not, it didn't matter.

The screams of the past raged in his mind, and the pain of those he lost called out to him. Over and over, never-ending. 

Bloody bodies tumbled over each other like the rapids of a river, teeth and swords jutting out like sharp rocks. Desperate hands, skeletal and meaty, grasped at his skin, yanked his hair, and cracked his limbs. Lips were torn back, and thumbs pressed into his eye sockets. Arteries popped under pressure, and flesh squelched as it was mashed to nothing. Fingernails yanked, tender skin sliced as though it were paper. Vocal cords had long since been ripped out, so screaming would have been completely in vain.

It burned. Everything burned. 

Qi Rong… QI RONG… SAVE US…!!

Teeth bared, spit dripping. Foam and sinew. Mold and mildew.

IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT.

Qi Rong gasped, and his eyes flew open. Patting his face, he felt that everything was fortunately still intact. A shaky sigh slipped past the man's lips, his chest burned from hyperventilating, and that wicked heart pounded in his ears.

His entire body quaked, but he was safe. Whether he was fortunate because of this remained to be seen. 

The silence of the night slowly replaced the high-pitched ringing in his ears. An exasperated groan rumbled from still functioning vocal cords. 

Whether he was thankful for that or not remained to be seen. 

Scrambling to sit up, Qi Rong stared at a round, blurry moon through the small window in the wall. 

The room was the same as it had always been: a writing desk in the corner, a small bed against the wall that he hardly ever used, and a large shelf filled with scrolls that he must have read three times over already. 

Qi Rong held his head in his hands, sighing heavily. Disheveled strands of oily black hair were hardly able to cling to his sweaty brow as he hung his head.

How long had it been? 20 years since the fires?

Hot tears burned his eyes and streamed down his cheeks, regret and guilt consuming him. “I did not deserve to live while they all suffered… Xie Lian… I’m sorry… ” Qi Rong muttered pitifully. 

Thoughts spiralling, another one of his fits overtook him. Sobs echoed and bounced off the walls. Ragged breaths hissed past two rows of straight yellow teeth, wet and sticky. Grasping at those black, oily strands, Qi Rong roared helplessly into the void of his chambers, but any attempt to dispel his madness was in vain.

Dark walls he had become all too familiar with as a prison stared back at him, and he wanted to throw everything into as much of a disarray as his mind seemed to be. 

What a fucking disgrace. 

Suddenly, a loud knock startled him out of his fit. Not bothering to wipe the tears and snot from his face, Qi Rong crawled to the large, heavy doors that locked from the outside.

A small slot in the door slid open, and the familiar voice of Hua Cheng’s caretaker came through the other side. Qi Rong was on all fours, staring through the gap with burning eyes. 

“Your Highness? Are you lucid?” Yin Yu asked. 

“Unfortunately, yes.” Qi Rong replied, averting his gaze. 

Any snarky comment never went over well with Yin Yu, but Qi Rong didn’t care in the slightest. As the man in green settled himself to a seated position, the attendant sighed as another slot at the bottom of the doors slid open, a plate of food passing underneath it. 

It was more than usual, and certainly more lavish. The food was still warm. 

“Eat. I brought you some leftovers from the banquet.” Yin Yu said. 

Qi Rong took no time in grabbing the plate. Before he could take his first bite of mantou, he paused. “A banquet? What the fuck for?” He asked. 

“Lord Hua Cheng was married just yesterday, Your Highness.” Yin Yu explained. 

The mantou remained in his hand, inches from his mouth, uneaten. Qi Rong lifted an eyebrow. “To whom?”

“A prince by the name of Xie Lian. He comes from the Wuyong Clan.” Yin Yu said, his grin practically audible. 

The mantou rolled pathetically to the floor as Qi Rong nearly choked on air. He couldn’t believe that his best friend would marry someone of the same blood as that asshole, Jun Wu!

Wasn't that a little hypocritical?!

A thousand thoughts ran through Qi Rong's mind at once, adding an extra layer to the headache that already throbbed at his temples.

That name, though...

Could it be that it was his cousin, or was it Jun Wu licking up the last little bits of his bloody victory from his plate? Laughing to himself as he named his flesh and blood the same as that of Xianle royalty? 

That egotistical, mangy fuckwad...

He must have been muttering all of this out loud, as Yin Yu chuckled. "Qi Rong, if you have something to say, speak clearly." 

Lip curling, he snarled. “Couldn’t you have talked him out of it?!” Qi Rong spat. "What compelled him to just-! Argh!"

The attendant exhaled at the exclamation. “Of course not, Your Highness. Besides, they seem very happy together.” Yin Yu replied. "I simply find it interesting that your cousin had the same name. I thought you might want to know."

The man in green scoffed. If he ever got the opportunity, he would hack up the nastiest yellow spitwad and launch it at Jun Wu’s feet—the Xiao Jing special.

Of course, Qi Rong knew his friend, Hua Cheng, had been betrothed since forever. Not that he ever knew the brat's name, but it didn't matter; he still disapproved of the match. To his understanding until now, Hua Cheng had been as well. 

Even though the bitterness that ran through his veins for the Wuyong Clan was concentrated thicker than tree sap, Qi Rong still felt sad about not being able to be at one of the most important events in his friend’s life.

Then there was the matter of someone who was potentially his cousin who should've been dead. It was a mere afterthought in comparison. Besides, it's not like he could say anything...

“... How was the ceremony?” Qi Rong asked quietly. 

“It was lovely.” Yin Yu said. “I think Lord Hua Cheng would have appreciated your presence.” 

Qi Rong turned his back to the door, crossing his arms and scowling. Even though he hadn’t eaten in days, the man had lost his appetite. 

“... Thanks, Yin Yu. You’re excused.” Qi Rong muttered. 

“Of course, Your Highness.” Yin Yu said. "I'll come to check on you in a few days."

Qi Rong didn't bother to answer. The slot in the door slid closed, and the caretaker’s footsteps on the wood panels creaked as he left the chamber.

Pushing away the plate, Qi Rong leaned to the side and flopped down to the floor. Curling in on himself, his long robes draped over his feet, and his unkempt hair fanned out around him in tangled strings. 

Memories flooded his brain of running through the courtyard with Hua Cheng when they were kids, pretending to be ghosts and gods. Things seemed so simple when they could play and forget all of the horrible things about the world. 

As they grew older, things became more complicated, as they always do.

The effects of the poisonous flower that had cursed Xianle seemed to worsen, and Qi Rong would constantly get into trouble with the merchants in Silver City. The tumultuous teen could be found harassing women, unmarried and not, stealing wares for no logical reason, or accusing any random person of colluding with demons. 

Hua Cheng would always be the one to drag him home, deliver him to the healers, and get him out of trouble with Lord Hua Zhenghua.

There would be nights when the previous lord would be so angry, Qi Rong could hear the drunken screaming and beating from across Paradise Manor. The one thing he never heard was Hua Cheng. 

No matter how much guilt Qi Rong felt about his actions, he couldn’t control the crazed outbursts and amnesia.

The night that Qi Rong set the entire port aflame was the last straw. Qi Rong had been forced to his knees with his arms behind his back, screaming that he swore he saw a ghost coming from the water, ready to devour everything. 

As usual, nothing was there, as much as Hua Cheng said he believed him. 

Somehow, Hua Cheng had convinced his father to lock Qi Rong away, rather than throw the former prince into the woods to starve. The first nights in this chamber were very quiet, but he was able to get used to it, especially as fewer and fewer people visited. 

Even if this existence was lonely and Qi Rong was plagued with nightmares nearly every night, he knew that Hua Cheng had done this out of care.

"I should just die already..." Qi Rong muttered. 

After a shichen, he finally fell into a peaceful sleep, something he had not had in several months.

Chapter Text

The cloak that Hua Cheng had brought for Xie Lian was not needed. 

Hands behind his back, Hua Cheng brushed his thumbs over each other in a nervous fidget, trying to quell his anxious anticipation for what was to come by taking his time. Heart fluttering in his chest, he walked languidly back toward the sleeping chambers, his husband no doubt only a few turns ahead of him.

The two had decided to make this a little bit of a game to help with the prince’s nearly impenetrable shyness, as well as the young lord’s nervousness, which he hadn’t divulged much after they had cleared things up. 

“Let’s try this again, gege. I’ll give you a head start.” Hua Cheng had said, grinning playfully. 

In the distance, the lord could hear the faint sound of those doors opening and closing quickly. Perhaps Hua Cheng had been right— a good chase had invigorated the prince. His heart jumped with excitement. He found himself wanting to run to their chambers and pounce, but he knew that taking his time with this was the best approach. 

As the door slid open, Hua Cheng’s smooth, deep voice rang in the silence. “Your Highness put up quite the chase… is he playing hard to get now?” He cooed, the smug grin hopefully audible in his tone. 

A chirp of stifled laughter squeezed out between the dresser and the wardrobe. Grinning, Hua Cheng pretended not to hear and slid the door shut quietly. As he turned the lock with a quiet click, the young lord was reminded further of what the purpose of this entire thing was. His cock throbbed slowly beneath his robes and he took a deep breath, his cheeks prickling with heat. 

“Your Highness…” Hua Cheng called quietly. 

Before Hua Cheng could say anything else, Xie Lian sprang from his hiding place. Hua Cheng wheezed as he was pinned to the floor, his pale cheek pressed up against the wood. “Urgh…” He groaned, feigning discomfort. 

The prince flinched, relenting his grasp on Hua Cheng’s bare wrists. “Oh, San Lang! I’m sorry– Ah!”   Xie Lian cried. 

The young lord grinned as Xie Lian fell for his trick. Hua Cheng threw the prince onto the floor, quickly switching their positions in a whirl. Strong thighs were pressed firmly against the wood with slender shins, and Hua Cheng grasped the prince’s wrists gently, but firmly enough to keep him in place. 

“Got you.” Hua Cheng purred, grinning. 

The prince stared up at the lord, amber eyes wide and petal-red lips parted as he panted quietly. Xie Lian looked truly surprised— adorable. 

Moonlight streamed in from the crack in the curtains covering the window, and the low candlelight cast a warm glow about the room. Xie Lian’s pretty, pale forehead already glistened with sweat, small hairs sticking to his skin.

The lord wondered if he might sweat prettily everywhere. He would do the honors of licking every inch of salty skin, and feeling the prince shivering beneath him would be the best part. 

Hua Cheng’s thick, inky strands curtained their faces, pooling onto the floor below. Leaning down to press a kiss to Xie Lian’s lips, the lord was nothing but gentle and purposefully reverent in his touch. 

Of course, Xie Lian could throw him off if he wanted to stop at any point, out of disgust or for any other reason— the lord had to remind himself of this. Hua Cheng was more imposing due to his height, but was not nearly as muscular as the best warrior in Wuyong. However, it seemed the fun was in the feigned struggle to flee, and it sent a swirl of warmth down the lord’s legs. 

“Mmn…”   Xie Lian whimpered, his eyes nervously fluttering closed. Hua Cheng swiped the tip of his tongue along his bottom lip once more, and the prince squirmed. “Ngh–”

“Your Highness… Look at me.” Hua Cheng whispered against his lips. Warm, sweet breath ghosted his teeth, and he fought down a shiver. Xie Lian opened his eyes slightly, the fog of his lust glowing amidst the amber. “Do you wish to stop?” 

“ … No.” Xie Lian muttered shyly. “K-Keep going.”

“Hmm…”   Hua Cheng hummed down a chuckle. A smug grin spread across his face as he kissed those velvety lips that he couldn’t get enough of. 

When Hua Cheng requested entrance once more, Xie Lian seemed all too eager to welcome it, pressing forward to meet his husband’s hot, wet mouth. He let out a quiet grunt, some part of him still terrified to allow more than that slip past his lips, considering the shocked reaction before. 

Before, when Hua Cheng had imagined kissing Xie Lian, he had sorely underestimated how good his husband would taste and feel. That tongue was soft, yet firm as it glided along his own. It was not too difficult to imagine, as wet, warm spit mixed and dripped down their lips, what it might be like to have other parts of them mix. The lord had shamefully wondered if other parts of Xie Lian would taste just as good. 

Their very first sparring session, when Xie Lian had visited, was a glimpse into that fantasy. Glistening sweat beading on that pale brow, a smooth chest rising and falling with quickened breaths, and muscles flexing as they moved beneath tight fabric. Those beautiful hands grasping the hilt with such grace… 

Hua Cheng wanted to see all of him, no matter the position. He wanted to see what lay between those strong legs. He wanted to devour him, and to be devoured. 

“Mmn… San Lang…” Xie Lian whimpered. 

The sultry way the lord’s name was called sent sparks straight to his groin, and Hua Cheng fought down a full-body shiver of excitement. His cock had been twitching every so often beneath his robes. Now it was going at a slow throb, and he felt which made it very difficult to focus on anything else other than getting some relief. 

Hua Cheng took no time at all to press their groins together. Soft, simultaneous moans muffled by heated kisses came forth, and the prince shivered beneath him. Beginning at a slow pace, Hua Cheng rutted against Xie Lian’s stiff heat as it twitched against his own, just enough to get a little stimulation. “Ah- Gege…” He mumbled. 

“Uhn– Please–” Xie Lian mewled into the kiss, drawing his soft tongue along the inside of Hua Cheng’s bottom lip. 

Hua Cheng could feel his entire groin swell, and if he reached down, he would probably feel how soaked his undergarments were. 

He wanted more of this. He needed more. Yet, despite those hungry urges, a louder, more insistent beast of insecurities reared its head, that roar torching his desires with pesky thoughts of rejection. 

There was something that Hua Cheng had not discussed yet when it came to why he was so nervous about being intimate with Xie Lian, and the prince likely had no prior knowledge of the lord’s… parts. Even if he had, which was highly unlikely, as anyone who knew had died from other causes, or because they met the gruesome fate of Crimson Rain. The only exception to this had been Yin Yu, of course. Now, there would be another person to be added to that list, and it terrified him to the core. 

Hua Cheng had fretted about this moment for months, not to mention the layers of things they had discussed earlier. Why hadn’t he brought this up sooner? Then, if Xie Lian was disgusted, he could have just ended things before they’d gotten too deep. As it was, they were in the heat of the moment. What if this ruined everything? Why couldn’t he just be upfront? Stupid, stupid.

Body beginning to shake from rampant, relentless anxiety, Hua Cheng cursed mentally. He hoped His Highness wouldn’t notice his nerves going haywire, especially since he was supposed to be the one servicing the prince, not the other way around. He needed to focus— he needed to be strong. 

“Mm– San Lang–”   Xie Lian managed between kisses, bringing the lord out of his thoughts. “My legs hurt…” 

“Mmn…”   Hua Cheng parted, panting quietly. He took a deep breath to steady himself and slipped his gangly legs from Xie Lian’s thighs, instead pressing the prince’s legs open with his knees. 

Before the prince could react to the incredibly suggestive position, he froze. “ … San Lang?” Xie Lian whispered. “Is everything alright?”

Hua Cheng hesitated, his body quaking from head to toe. “ … Is His Highness sure? Absolutely sure about this?” He asked, meeting the prince’s concerned gaze. 

Xie Lian paused, then smiled coyly. Hua Cheng couldn’t fight down a shiver this time. “Certainly. … Though, San Lang did say that we would… uhm– somewhere more comfortable…” He muttered, quickly losing that teasing tone he began with. 

Those pretty ears burned with shyness, and Hua Cheng chuckled. He thought there might’ve been a hint of deviousness in his attempt at an innocent expression, as Xie Lian gulped. “I did say that, didn’t I?” Hua Cheng purred. 

Gently lifting Xie Lian off the floor, Hua Cheng was surprised that he didn’t wobble as he led his husband to the bed. As eager as Hua Cheng knew they both were, his husband made no effort to rush anything. 

Crawling onto the mattress, they sat across from each other. The silence seemed to overtake them, and neither moved for a time. 

Hua Cheng sat on his shins, fingers nervously fiddling with the hem of his inner robes. His wild, inky strands billowed around his shoulders, and the lord wondered what the prince saw in him to even think about doing this, with him of all people. Yes, they were married, and it was expected, but since when had Hua Cheng listened to what was expected of him? Why should Xie Lian? Why would he ever?

The mattress shifted slightly as the prince shuffled toward the young lord. Xie Lian placed his hands on Hua Cheng’s chilled, nervous ones. The young lord flinched as he was brought out of his head again, but the prince seemed undeterred. 

“ … Does San Lang need a little help?” Xie Lian asked quietly.

Hua Cheng’s cheeks prickled with embarrassment— he was a mess. Brow furrowed, he nodded once. “Mm.” 

The prince worked slowly as he untied his robes, and Hua Cheng felt as though he might die from anticipation. His body was already reacting in such a feverish way, and his lungs stuttered with every breath. 

Just as his inner robes fell about his shoulders and revealed the silk he wore around his chest, Hua Cheng couldn’t take it anymore. If he was going to be undressed, then his husband would be as well. 

“Your Highness…” Hua Cheng muttered. “May I…?” 

Just as the night before, his hands hovered over the prince’s robes. Xie Lian swallowed and nodded. 

Soon, they were both stripped bare, discarded inner robes intertwining on the floor. 

Hua Cheng couldn’t help but gaze down at his husband’s body. It wasn’t much different from what he had imagined, but fantasies couldn’t nearly hold a candle to such perfection. Xie Lian’s body was toned and muscular in a graceful way, like that of a dancer. Hips were round and soft, and the lord found his eyes taking everything in, piece by piece. Finally, they drifted down to the apex of his thighs, and he pressed his lips together in a thin line. 

Xie Lian’s cock was larger than he thought it would be. It was slightly curved downward, and the red tip glistened with clear fluid already. Cheeks burning, Hua Cheng found himself desperately wanting to taste him, and he fought down a squirm. 

After a moment, the lord noticed that Xie Lian had been staring at him as well. Those curious, amber eyes were quite insistent on observing the apex of his thighs, and hardly anywhere else. He swallowed nervously. 

Suddenly, Xie Lian reached for him, and Hua Cheng’s shoulders tightened. “Y-Your Highness?” He stuttered, his mismatched eyes widening and dark brows arching. His anxiety that he normally hid so well thrust itself forward in his naked state, the invisible mask falling to the ground and shattering. 

Xie Lian froze, his hand mid-air and hovering above his husband’s pale thigh. “Can… May I touch you?” He asked quietly. 

Hua Cheng’s gaze flitted to his hovering hand. Xie Lian was so kind and considerate, and of course, he was simply curious. The young lord paused, then nodded. 

“Tell me if it hurts. Or… if you want to stop.” Xie Lian said, sliding his fingers up smooth, pale skin. 

Hua Cheng’s chest wound tighter, and he bit the inside of his lip as Xie Lian inched closer to the part that he was so nervous about. Running his soft thumb over dark, curled hair, Xie Lian bit his bottom lip. Hua Cheng let out a small puff of air, and his mismatched eyes practically burned a hole through the prince’s hand. 

Then, Xie Lian slipped his fingers lower, carefully pressing past folded skin. He let out a quiet gasp as the soft pads of his fingers slipped next to something very slick and hot. “Hah-!” Hua Cheng’s breath hitched as a shock of pleasure coursed through his veins. 

Gazes flitting upward, they stared at each other. Even in the low light, the prince’s cheeks were visibly flushed, and his eyes gleamed hungrily. Hua Cheng fought down another squirm, that burning gaze making him feel like a bug trapped under a glass. 

The young lord was determined to record this beautiful moment in his mind and preserve it for years to come, as consumed by nerves as he was. He wanted to remember everything about this moment, whether Xie Lian would reject him or not. 

“Is… Is this alright?” Xie Lian asked quietly. 

Hua Cheng hesitated, but then nodded, slowly closing his eyes. He could hear the prince swallow, and he nearly made his lip bleed as he bit down harder. 

Xie Lian was so gentle with him, it was almost torturous. The prince very carefully pressed the hot, gently throbbing part between his index and middle fingers. Warm slick leaked onto the tips of those pretty digits, and he shivered, twitching against Hua Cheng’s cock. 

“Hmm-!” The young lord’s beautiful mismatched eyes flew open, and he grasped Xie Lian’s strong shoulders to steady himself. “Hnn… G-Gege…” Hua Cheng whimpered. 

Hua Cheng noticed that he had subconsciously parted his thighs ever so slightly to give more access. He would’ve been embarrassed had it not been for that gaze that seemed to grow more and more ravenous by the second. 

The prince’s eyes flitted downward, catching a small glimpse of the red, throbbing head that hid underneath those folds. He didn’t speak for a moment, and Hua Cheng’s nerves panged in his stomach. 

“San Lang…” Xie Lian murmured, seemingly at a complete loss for words. “You… You’re so…” 

Hua Cheng took this opportunity to act confident, not at all nervous, and he smirked. “Is gege shocked?” He asked softly, his mismatched eyes lidded. 

“I…” Xie Lian said, his ears burning. “Not shocked…”

“Then… what?” Hua Cheng pressed, the nervousness returning in his tone. “Your Highness, don’t be scared. … It's not all that different. I’m still a man, I promise.”

“I-I’m not…” Xie Lian stuttered, seemingly thrown off by that anxious comment. He shook his head. “Of course San Lang is a man, why… Why would this change anything?”

“I…” Hua Cheng didn’t really have an answer to that, which wasn’t lengthy and complicated. He looked down at the floor. 

Xie Lian paused, seemingly in thought. Then, gentle fingers tucked under Hua Cheng’s jaw, guiding his gaze back. The prince’s expression had softened to a loving gaze that Hua Cheng felt incredibly undeserving of. 

“… I want to see all of San Lang.” Xie Lian said. “I mean that.”

Hua Cheng nearly choked on air, his throat tightening. Few moments caught the lord so off guard that he didn’t know what to say. Xie Lian had been the reason for most of them as of late. Such a simple reassurance had rendered Hua Cheng speechless, and he momentarily forgot how to breathe. He believed, even if it was just for a moment, that he might be worthy of such grace and care. Since Xie Lian wanted to give him that, it must be for a reason. 

Before Hua Cheng could process anything more, Xie Lian's eyes crinkled in a dangerous smile, and he gently squeezed his fingers again.  “Uhn–” Hua Cheng moaned quietly, his snarky remarks silenced for now as the sensations of molten fire coursed through his nerves, pleasantly burning his skin. "Gege…" 

Curious hands explored each other’s frames. Fumbling, inexperienced fingers ran over soft and toned skin. They were young lovers learning how the touch of their beloved felt, and how it felt to be touched so sweetly.

However, after that pesky beast of insecurity had been slain, nerves and shyness were quickly replaced with desperate want. The aftermath of messy kisses had Hua Cheng’s chin wet with spit. Whether it was Xie Lian’s or his own, the lord didn't know, nor did he care. 

Hua Cheng had allowed himself to be pressed into the mattress like earlier, his long, inky strands fanning across the pillows against the crimson sheets. Mismatched eyes looked up at the prince's amber ones with a ravenous sort of desire, his entire body burning with an unparalleled intensity. 

"Gege…" Hua Cheng panted. Xie Lian’s skin was fully bathed in a thin sheen of sweat, which was illuminated by the low candlelight as he straddled him. A breathtaking sight that Hua Cheng felt unworthy of. 

Xie Lian’s expression became nervous, and he slid his hands up Hua Cheng’s arms to intertwine their fingers. He seemed to be steadying himself, and to reassure him that he was alright, the young lord gently pressed the pads of his fingers into the prince's knuckles. 

The prince leaned forward and gently kissed the arch of Hua Cheng’s widow's peak, lingering before creating a tender trail downward. “Hah… Gege…” Hua Cheng breathed, hoping this was going where he thought it might. 

Xie Lian’s pretty lips drew down the lord’s jaw and his neck, but then he paused just beneath his collarbone. His bottom lip brushed against the white silk that had remained in place on Hua Cheng's chest the entire time, even as the rest of him was completely bare. 

The young lord’s heart nearly stopped. As ridiculous as it might’ve been, Hua Cheng had almost completely forgotten about his bindings and wondered if this was the part where he might be rejected. 

Before he could worry too much more, Xie Lian opened his mouth and swiped his hot tongue right over Hua Cheng’s covered nipple. The young lord gasped at how sensitive he was, also partially surprised that the prince had found it so easily, and without guidance. 

"Hah- Uhn-" The silk became soaked with Xie Lian’s spit, and Hua Cheng couldn’t care less. His ears burned at the small moans coming out of his mouth, and electricity tingled across his chest as the skin puckered with his husband’s ministrations. 

The beast that seemed to take hold of Xie Lian was ravenous, and Hua Cheng welcomed it. He hadn’t planned to be the one receiving first, but it wasn’t like he would dare ask his beloved to stop. 

Xie Lian moved down after thoroughly caring for Hua Cheng's chest. He licked along those inner thighs, and the lord let out a low groan as he fisted the sheets. "G-Gege- Please…"   Hua Cheng whined, begging pitifully. 

If his enemies saw how easily the prince could unravel him, he would be done for. As it was, they couldn’t. This experience was only for the prince and the lord. 

Xie Lian let out a shaky sigh, bordering on a moan. "I … I … " He stammered. 

The lord had studied to be ready for this moment, as embarrassing as it had been at the time, especially as Yin Yu had been the one explaining the material. Now, it seemed that every ounce of knowledge Hua Cheng had previously learned was promptly tossed out the window. Mind blank with desire, all Hua Cheng knew was that he needed his husband to touch him everywhere. 

"S-San Lang … " Xie Lian whispered, "Can … Can I…" 

Not sure quite what his husband wanted permission to do, the lord simply smiled. "His Highness may do whatever he pleases." Hua Cheng said quietly. 

With that, Xie Lian took a shaky breath and leaned down. 

Oh. Oh. Was he going to do… that?

Xie Lian delicately caressed Hua Cheng's sides and then gently grasped him by the waist. Hua Cheng's breath hitched in anticipation, and the prince grinned. 

The lord’s mismatched eyes widened, wondering what beast he might have unleashed. Not that he minded one bit. 

Glancing up with hungry amber eyes, Xie Lian whispered: "I wish to devour you." 

Hua Cheng had no time to respond to such a declaration before Xie Lian's lips and tongue enveloped that slick, red nub. 

A low moan escaped the lord’s throat as he adjusted to the scalding temperature of his husband’s mouth, and his groin throbbed more insistently. The prince replied with a small whimper, and Hua Cheng hissed on an exhale.

The lord had not anticipated this feeling so good, and so overwhelming, even as the prince hadn’t done much. It was so hot, so soft, so good. 

Xie Lian held him in his mouth for a while, his amber eyes closed. Hua Cheng opened his mouth to ask his husband to please do something , or he was going to die. The words died in his throat as Xie Lian pursed his lips around his cock and sucked. 

"Ahn-!"  Hua Cheng cried, his slender fingers flying down to the back of Xie Lian's head, weaving with dark strands of hair. Hips squirmed helplessly as he was held in place by the prince's firm grip. " Uhn- Gege! F-Fuck-!"

He was so warm and soft— Hua Cheng finally understood why people did this. Once you started, how could you ever stop? 

The young lord was completely at his mercy and writhing under his beloved’s touch. Hua Cheng’s gangly legs remained parted enough so that Xie Lian could continue, but they shook as if he were carrying a load too heavy for his shoulders. He seemed to be unable to decide whether he should keep them open or closed, but decisions weren’t really something he could make with how foggy his mind became. 

"Gege- Gege-!"   Hua Cheng chanted, as if the moniker were a word of worship. "F-Fuck I- I- More-!" 

Xie Lian began to swirl his tongue around, and Hua Cheng nearly screamed. His moans were akin to sobs as they were ripped from his throat, but if Xie Lian stopped, he might actually die.

"Haah-! Ahn-!"  Hua Cheng wailed. The lord's stomach tensed under Xie Lian's grip, and his foot raised and smacked against the mattress as he writhed. He pressed the crown of his head into the pillows as his back arched in pleasure. "Y-Your Highness-!"

Maintaining iron-willed focus, Xie Lian lapped up any slick that leaked from that scalding, fluttering opening. It felt like fire, like ascension, like lightning as it spread across the sky on a stormy night. As much as Hua Cheng’s body seemed to struggle under Xie Lian’s grip, he didn't pull away and only seemed to press himself further into that scalding mouth. The corners of the prince's lips curled upward as he hummed in delight. 

“So good, San Lang…”  Xie Lian mumbled as he came up for air, and then immediately sank down again, his lips perfectly nestled against his cock. “Too good…”

Strangely, his entire body jolted at the praise, and he couldn’t hold back any longer. "I-! I-! Gege-!"  Hua Cheng sobbed as he finished, his entire body spasming in pure pleasure. A warm rush fluttered in his chest, pure ecstasy coursing through his entire being. 

The prince lifted his head and gasped for air, his face flushed red. Hua Cheng’s hands flopped down to the mattress, and his eyes rolled back into his head. He felt feverish and sweaty. Loose strands of inky hair stuck to the sides of his head, and his mismatched eyes were glazed over as he came down from his haze. 

After a moment, Hua Cheng glanced down at Xie Lian, who was pointedly staring at his chest, still bound in silks. He might’ve been worried, but considering that his husband had only been curious thus far, he simply raised an eyebrow at him. Xie Lian met his gaze and stuttered. "I-I… Sorry…" He mumbled. 

"Sorry? For what?" Hua Cheng asked. Then, when Xie Lian didn't seem to have an answer, he smirked. “… Does His Highness find me interesting to look at?” 

That had been one of the first things that the young lord had ever said to the prince, and Xie Lian’s expression softened slightly. "I… Yes. Though, perhaps not for the reasons San Lang thinks." He said. 

"Is that right?" Hua Cheng cooed. 

Xie Lian sat up and fidgeted, looking like he might be feeling a little awkward in their naked states. " … San Lang is handsome and strong. Sometimes This Highness doesn't feel deserving of such grace." He said.

A melancholic look overtook that beautifully soft expression, and Hua Cheng quickly sat up, his mismatched eyes darkening. “What do you mean…?” He asked. 

"You have worked so hard to be where you're at, and you are so proud of what people consider faults. You are so sincere and honest. I… I can't help but feel like… I cannot measure up." Xie Lian said. 

The lord leaned in, placing his hands on Xie Lian's shoulders. "Your Highness… Is…" Hua Cheng began. His expression had softened, yet this did not seem to quell the prince's anxiety. 

"There's… Something…" Xie Lian muttered. 

"Yes?"  Hua Cheng pressed. 

Part of him was a little frustrated that they weren’t continuing at this very moment, but most of him was concerned that His Highness wasn’t telling him something that he should. 

He swallowed. "San Lang… I… I'm not who you think I am." Xie Lian muttered, not meeting Hua Cheng’s gaze. 

What? 

"Alright…" Hua Cheng said, quirking his brow. "Then, who are you?" 

Xie Lian let out a shuddering breath and hugged himself. "I'm not Jun Wu's son. I'm… I'm not from Wuyong." He said. "I'm what remains of the Xianle royal family line. I was the crown prince before… everything was lost." 

"I wanted to tell you sooner, and I'm sorry I haven't. I was… I was scared. I know that even telling you this now could mean the end of everything, but I thought I'd best say it now before you have to go report to the clan council, and so… so…" Xie Lian seemed unable to finish the implied idea that they might never see each other again. Tears began to fall down his cheeks, and Hua Cheng’s heart squeezed. 

"… I'm sorry."   

Everything had been laid out in the open, like a hand of cards on a playing table. Something in Hua Cheng’s mind clicked, and he started piecing together everything he had been thinking over the past few months since meeting his now husband. 

The paintings that Qi Rong had shown him all those years ago looked suspiciously similar to the man before him— he had realized this more fully the night before. Even Xie Lian’s name was exactly the same. Was Jun Wu stupid enough not to change it? 

There was no doubt about it now— the figure in the painting and the man before him were truly the same person. His husband was the heir to the throne of a kingdom that had been burned to the ground. He had been living in fear his entire life that someone might find out, and he just told Hua Cheng. Not only that, he believed that he was the last remaining member of his family line. 

Hua Cheng really didn’t have time to process all of that right now, especially as his husband was sobbing in front of him. The lord acted before he could fully think, cupping that beautiful face in his hands. Hardly having time to react to how those amber eyes widened in shock, Hua Cheng pressed their lips together and closed his eyes. 

Xie Lian was completely frozen. This was clearly not the reaction the prince had expected— not one he had accounted for. Xie Lian seemed unable to wrap his arms around Hua Cheng like he had done thus far whenever they kissed. Instead, those hands remained on his biceps to hold himself together, seemingly afraid that he would explode into a million pieces.

As they parted, Xie Lian let out a sob— the prince was completely overwhelmed. "I-I… I don't understand…" Xie Lian muttered. 

Hua Cheng gazed at him tenderly, and he lovingly tucked a piece of dark hair behind Xie Lian's ear. "Your Highness… My husband…"   He whispered, and Xie Lian squeezed another pathetic sob past his lips. "I already knew. Or, rather, had… a feeling."

"I… What?" Xie Lian looked up, his amber eyes red from tears. "How? I-"

"I would prefer not to talk about another man while we're bare in our bed." Hua Cheng said, grinning. 

Xie Lian flushed and looked down, then flushed even more as he realized where he was looking, and shut his eyes. The lord chuckled at the adorable mess of a prince, pressing a comforting kiss to his forehead. 

"I will explain everything later. For now, all His Highness needs to know is that I don't care about who you were, or what you're supposed to be. As long as you remain by my side, my beloved, I will love you all the same." Hua Cheng declared. 

"S-San Lang…" Xie Lian whispered, another sob threatening to break past his throat. He cupped Hua Cheng's face, pressing their foreheads together and closing his eyes. He whispered with a quivering voice: "Husband…"

A fire ignited in Hua Cheng the moment that title slipped past the prince's lips. He had been waiting to hear that from him in this way for months on end. Once it had been uttered, there was no stopping the desires that overtook him. 

The lord leaned forward, devouring Xie Lian's mouth gently, but fiercely all the same. "Mmn-" Xie Lian whimpered.

The prince was guided to lie back on the bed as Hua Cheng straddled him, long, dark hair fanning out across the crimson pillows as he was covered in loving touches. Each sultry sigh or whimper from the prince felt like a plan to make Hua Cheng meet his end this evening, but the lord welcomed it eagerly nonetheless. 

For now, Xie Lian allowed himself to be completely overtaken by the heat of their loving embrace once more. He seemed to be content letting Hua Cheng love him gently, with a barely contained fierceness just lingering behind bars. 

"Ah- San Lang- Please… " Xie Lian groaned pitifully. 

Hua Cheng was worshipping his body from head to toe, leaving a trail of bruising kisses down his body, down his inner thighs. However, he was blatantly ignoring the prince's angrily throbbing cock between his legs, the urge to tease having bubbled over. 

"Oh? Does His Highness need something?" Hua Cheng cooed, drawing a flat tongue up Xie Lian's thigh to his knee. 

The prince shivered and shut his eyes, turning his head in his shyness. All the confidence from when he sucked off his husband earlier was gone. Xie Lian was completely at the young lord's mercy, and Hua Cheng adored the entertainment of peeling back his husband’s different layers of pleasure. 

"I…" Xie Lian managed, his shyness cutting off his words the moment he tried to push them from his throat. 

"… If His Highness needs something, he only needs to ask." Hua Cheng said, unable to fight down a grin with that tone. 

Xie Lian whined, bringing his hands up to cover his face, which was nearly the same color as the sheets he lay upon. He seemed to muster up his courage, and he took a deep breath. "I… I need you… lower…" Xie Lian mumbled, his words mostly muffled by his hands. 

"None of that." Hua Cheng chuckled, gently grasping Xie Lian's wrists and pinning them on either side of the prince's head. "Won't you tell didi what you desire? Gege's words are so pretty, especially with that skilled tongue of his."

Xie Lian’s breath hitched. Amber eyes wide, he bit his bottom lip and squirmed. "San Lang… I need your mouth… on… on my… Oh, please don't make me say it."  The prince groaned, the embarrassment stealing his words once more as he turned his head. 

"Only one more word, gege. Tell this one where you need his mouth, hm?" Hua Cheng cooed, leaning down and nibbling Xie Lian's earlobe, making the prince squirm even more. 

The most the prince seemed to be able to muster was the beginning of the dirty word, and then he would squirm, trying to retreat behind hands that were kept firmly in place beside his head.

Hua Cheng let out a deep hum of amusement. "Gege needs something so badly that he can't even say it?" He purred. "Will this one just have to figure out what he needs?" 

"Y-Yes, San Lang- Please-"   Xie Lian whimpered pitifully. 

The lord hungrily devoured every little stuttering reaction from Xie Lian's body. Moving down, Hua Cheng copied what had been done to him earlier, creating a trail of bruising kisses down that toned torso. 

Hua Cheng purposefully breathed a warm breath down that twitching, aching shaft, and Xie Lian squirmed once more. His hips bucked up, clearly hoping that the tip might brush against Hua Cheng’s lips. 

However, it was completely in vain. Hua Cheng's hands held those strong hips firmly in place against the bed, gently pressing his thumbs into his toned pelvis. "Patience, gege." Hua Cheng said, grinning. 

Hua Cheng leaned forward and placed a feathery kiss at the base of his cock. "Uhn-!"  Xie Lian gasped and whimpered. He clamped his eyes shut as the tip of Hua Cheng’s tongue lapped at sensitive, loose skin. 

"Gege's so big…" Hua Cheng cooed. Xie Lian pressed his lips together in a thin line, his entire body squirming in embarrassment. "I wonder how much of him I can fit in my mouth. … Would gege like to see? He'll have to look at me if he wants that."

"San Lang…"   Xie Lian muttered. "Please stop teasing so much…"

"Alright." Hua Cheng replied, chuckling. "Only because gege asked so nicely."

Xie Lian had no time to react before Hua Cheng wrapped his fingers around the base of that aching cock. He shoved the rest that was uncovered into his mouth, groaning the moment the tip hit the roof of his mouth. 

"Ahn-!"  Xie Lian cried, gripping the crimson sheets for dear life and throwing his head back into the pillows. 

Xie Lian was big and heavy in his mouth. It was comforting how slack his jaw was, and his eyes rolled into the back of his head. Hua Cheng knew he wouldn’t be able to get all of him inside, but he would certainly try anyway. 

Gently twisting his fingers, Hua Cheng gently sucked, and Xie Lian whimpered. "Mm–! San Lang–"  Xie Lian whined. 

Hua Cheng hummed, and Xie Lian’s entire torso jolted. He began to use the tip of his tongue to gently peel back the thin skin that covered that red tip, and Xie Lian writhed like a stoat hopelessly caught in a snare. 

"Hahh… Ahn–! Mmn-!"

Hitched breaths, sultry moans, and whining pleas echoed about the room. Xie Lian didn't bother to be quiet, as much as it embarrassed him to hear such obscene sounds coming from his own mouth. Hands had slipped from fisting the sheets, long fingers instead weaving through inky strands of hair and pads pressing into the scalp. 

Hua Cheng was so skilled with his tongue that it really took no time at all for Xie Lian to be brought to climax. "Sa-San Lang, I- I'm- Oh-! Hus-Husband!"  Xie Lian cried as his hips stuttered upward. 

“Ghf–!” The combination of that involuntary thrust which forced the blunt tip to hit the back of his throat, along with the thick, hot seed filling his mouth, caused the lord to immediately choke. 

Hua Cheng retreated, coughing into his hand and desperately trying to catch his breath. 

"Shoot– San Lang, I'm sorry! Are you alright?" Xie Lian fretted, his voice still a little husky as he came down from his high. 

Hua Cheng hardly cared that he had choked. The lord was more concerned about the amount that the prince had spilled, how quickly, and how easily. It filled him with a ravenous desire once more as he watched the thick, glistening fluid drip slowly down his palm and onto the crimson sheets. 

Glancing at Xie Lian, he smiled. “This one is… more than okay.” Hua Cheng muttered. “I just…”

“Yes?”

He chuckled. “It’s funny. This one was worried about how he might perform.” Hua Cheng mused. “Does gege think I need to worry about anything?” 

Xie Lian’s face was practically purple with how red he was. He opened his mouth to speak, but no more than a strange croak came out before he shut it again, burying his face in his hands. “San Lang…” Xie Lian groaned. 

“How does gege feel?” Hua Cheng asked. 

“ … Good.” Xie Lian muttered behind his hands. 

“Mm. How good?” Hua Cheng pressed. 

“ … Too good.” 

“ Too good?” Hua Cheng repeated, edging closer to the prince. “Then I’m not sure gege would be able to handle what this one had in mind, then.”

Curiosity getting the better of him, Xie Lian peeked between his fingers, and Hua Cheng smirked. “ … What did San Lang have… in mind?” Xie Lian asked quietly. 

“Oh, Your Highness…” Hua Cheng purred, leaning close enough to feel Xie Lian’s body heat against his lips. “How about letting your husband show you?”

Hua Cheng gently grasped those wrists and pulled them down from his face into his lap. Pressing a kiss into the tender skin just below the hinge of Xie Lian’s jaw, he sighed and relished in the shiver that his beloved gave. 

This was going to be fun. 

Chapter Text

Xie Lian had awoken with a start, his chest rising and falling quickly as he panted. Cold sweat beaded at his brow, and he blinked away tears of overwhelm. The dream wasn’t from his memories; he was sure of it. But if it wasn’t that, then what could it mean? 

Xie Lian stood in a large room that had gone up in flames, resisting the urge to gag as the scent of burning flesh and blood hit his nose. Bringing his sleeve up to cover his face, he surveyed the dead bodies of nobles and attendants lying all around him on the floor. Clothes had burned away, and their skin melted away as easily as candle wax. Eye sockets hollow, their bones and teeth were exposed to the heavens. 

In death, all these people had become equal, status and riches meaning nothing. 

Just as he felt like he was going to be sick, the loud cries of a small child brought his attention behind him. There was an exit that had since been obstructed by large pieces of the building that had collapsed. Two adult bodies lay under the burning debris: one man and one woman. Xie Lian rushed to them, but the closer he got, he saw less and less hope for the couple. Nevertheless, there was hope for the child crying outside. 

With all his might, he pulled at the burning debris, crying out in pain as the skin on his palms burned. Finally, the pieces crumbled, and he rushed out of the building, not having to look very hard to find the child on the ground. When he scooped them up in his arms, the expensive silk wrap told Xie Lian everything he needed to know about what was happening— the couple crushed under the debris were the parents. The child was the surviving heir of whatever brilliant clan had perished.

He gently brushed away some of the ash and small pieces of burnt wood, blinking through his tears, stinging. Upon examining them, this child couldn’t have been more than a year old. Deciding that this heir was his responsibility now, he needed to get somewhere safe. He held the child tightly and ran as fast as he could from the flame-devoured palace. 

That’s when he encountered an entirely new threat. Running down the front steps as fast as he could, he looked up and gasped. Whatever magnificent city had stood here before was now blazing, the flames almost level with the mountains on the horizon. People ran through the streets while actively on fire, some of them in a similar state to those inside the palace, and some of them screaming. Screaming from hysteria or enjoyment, he couldn’t tell. All of them looked equally insane. 

Somehow, Xie Lian knew that there was another way out of this than through the main streets of the city, his body beginning to move without his consent, as if he were possessed. Once his body arrived at the bottom of the steps, he dashed to the left, zig-zagging in between buildings and hopping over disintegrating debris, still holding on tightly to the child that cried in his arms. Safety seemed nigh impossible, but the two did make it outside of the city, just barely squeezing through a gap in a large gate. Throwing himself forward and turning his body to save the child, their slim exit collapsed behind them with a crash. 

He shut his eyes, and the dream shifted. Xie Lian appeared in a forest, knowing that he must have walked a long way. His body ached, but at least the child was asleep in his arms, ash smeared all over the silk wraps and their small nose. Utter exhaustion and delirium had almost taken over, his eyes bleary and his throat drier than sand. They must have jumped forward in time, because the burning city or the insane people were nowhere to be found. 

Coming upon a small stream, he quickly forgot about the city and its inhabitants. He staggered as quickly as he could to the bank and kneeled beside it, scooping some of the cold water into his mouth with his beat-up hands. His throat burned as he drank, and his palm stung horribly, but he didn’t care. Glancing over at the child, small lips smacked sleepily, but they did not stir. Smiling tiredly, he splashed some water on his face and tried to prepare himself for what he felt would be a long journey ahead. 

Suddenly, the brush rustled behind him. Xie Lian shot up and whipped around to find the point of a sword immediately at his chest. He froze, looking down at the small hole that was already forming on his outer robes, attesting to the sharpness of the blade. Then, he was puzzled. It looked identical to Fang Xin, the golden pommel and guard carved with the same pattern of a flower engulfed by flames. Knowing the powerful aura of this weapon, he lifted his free hand in surrender and looked up at the figure who held it.

A white clay mask covered the face, and they wore all white robes, long black hair flowing behind them. They were taller than he, but not as tall as Hua Cheng, which continued to puzzle him. He thought Fang Xin was made for Hua Cheng, or at least belonged to his family. What further puzzled him was that the figure’s form seemed blurry, as if it weren’t entirely materially present. 

Before Xie Lian could say anything to diffuse the tension, the black blade sliced through his chest like a hot knife cutting a block of fat. Blood spurted from his mouth onto the grass in front of him, and he coughed helplessly. 

He fell hard to his knees, the child swiftly caught by his attacker as his head hit the grass. His vision went dark.

Xie Lian recounted his dream over and over again in his head, not able to make sense of it at all. A dream this vivid had to mean something, right? Right? 

The prince glanced beside him, making sure that he hadn’t accidentally disturbed his husband’s slumber. As it was, Xie Lian’s racing heart melted at the sight. 

Seemingly without a care in the world, Hua Cheng slept next to him, his inky strands draping over half his face that was pressed into the crimson pillows. Pretty, angular lips were pursed as the lord breathed almost soundlessly. The prince couldn’t help but reach forward, tucking those wild, inky strands behind Hua Cheng’s pale ear. Running a fingertip along that sharp jawline, he took in his husband’s beauty in sleep. 

Hua Cheng was so intense all the time. With people he didn’t like, whom Xie Lian hadn’t seen much of, he was viciously blunt with his words, acting as if he had no care in the world for anyone else’s petty feelings. With Xie Lian, Hua Cheng was mischievous, but gentle and kind. He always listened to everything the prince had to say and took every opportunity to make sure the prince felt appreciated. 

This included, but was certainly not limited to, their activities that they finished only a few hours earlier. 

Hua Cheng’s anxieties and nerves had come to light in their shared intimacy, and the prince found it nothing short of fascinating and endearing. Hua Cheng acted so cool and collected all the time— it was almost a little jarring how afraid he had been of Xie Lian rejecting him. Granted, Xie Lian had been just as nervous about the secret he kept hidden, though the prince thought it was a more serious affair than possessing different anatomy. 

Yet, some part of Xie Lian knew that no matter how many times they would do this, his desire for Hua Cheng might never be fully sated either way. It was comforting and exciting. His mind wandered, and his cheeks prickled with heat. 

Shamelessly remembering last night, he sighed quietly. 

Hua Cheng had been so slick and loose, practically sucking Xie Lian’s cock inside as he sat down on him. Those slender hands pressed into his chest, fingertips curling into his skin. 

“Uhn– Gege–! You’re so big… Hah…”  Hua Cheng breathed, his cheeks red with a deep flush. He took a moment to adjust, and Xie Lian shivered as one of those hands glided down his torso.

Wet, weeping moans were brutally ripped from the prince’s throat as his husband began to roll his hips, hot squelching from their connection making his ears burn. The lord began to touch himself, and the prince let out a shuddering sigh as obscene wet sounds erupted from desperate, rigorous movements.

“Mmn– San Lang… You… Hah–! Ahn–!”  Xie Lian cried as his husband shifted his knees and began bouncing desperately on his cock, whining quietly as he went. The air was pressed forcefully from Xie Lian’s lungs every time his pelvis smacked flat against soft flesh, and he felt incredibly light-headed. He wouldn’t trade this for the world.  

As the prince reminisced, the apex of his thighs twitched. He squirmed as he lay on his back, stealing another glance over at the husband he was shamelessly fantasizing about. 

… Hua Cheng probably wouldn’t mind if he indulged a little. The prince hadn’t quite been done when his husband passed out from four rounds. Besides, Xie Lian needed a bit of a distraction from that awful dream. And he certainly didn't want to wake Hua Cheng for such a base need as this. 

Reaching down past the sheets, Xie Lian gasped soundlessly and his jaw dropped, as the tips of his fingers ran along his half-hard cock. Gripping it gently in his palm, he bent his knees to lift the sheets, the soles of his feet planted against the mattress. Running his thumb along one of the veins, he swallowed down a sigh and bit his lip. 

“Mmm…” A sleepy moan elicited a jolt through the prince’s entire body as Hua Cheng stirred quietly in his slumber. The lord turned over and faced away from Xie Lian, those long, inky strands trailing behind him across the pillows. 

Xie Lian waited until he was sure that the lord was still asleep. He took a deep breath before beginning to slowly get himself off. Closing his eyes, the prince fell into the memory once more. 

Hua Cheng was relentless in his teasing and his movements. Xie Lian saw how utterly unraveled his husband was. Yet with each little groan from his lips and smack from his thighs as their skin made contact, the prince felt as though he was the one being unraveled and devoured, piece by savored piece.

As Hua Cheng pressed a wet digit inside Xie Lian’s own hot crevice and thrust against a scalding bundle of nerves. The prince promptly jolted and made a mess all over his husband’s back. 

Later, in their third round, when Xie Lian felt close, he did what he had done in the previous two rounds and pulled Hua Cheng to his chest in an embrace. The lord whimpered into his ear as that cock slipped out with a wet popping sound. Xie Lian’s hips squirmed to continue, and he let out a puff of air. 

“Does… Does gege want to finish inside?” Hua Cheng whispered. 

Xie Lian’s entire body jolted, and his shoulders tensed. “But– San Lang–” He stuttered. 

“No, gege, it’s okay. I promise.” Hua Cheng breathed, a feverish sigh brushing past the prince’s ear. “Only if you want it.” 

Of course he wanted it. “What… What does San Lang want?” Xie Lian asked, feeling bold and licking the shell of Hua Cheng’s ear. 

The lord let out a soft moan and lifted his hips, rubbing their cocks together. Xie Lian bit his bottom lip, whimpering at how close he was. 

“I… I want every part of His Highness. I want every ounce of you to belong to me, and nobody else.” Hua Cheng said, groaning as the tip nearly slipped inside him once again. “I want you to claim me as your own– I want to keep you safe inside me.”

“Ohh San Lang…” Xie Lian moaned, his cock burning, aching. 

“Gege, please…” Hua Cheng whimpered, rubbing his slick along the shaft. 

With his husband’s loving, desperate declaration and irresistible begging, Xie Lian couldn’t take it anymore. The prince gasped and grasped the shaft, pressing inside his husband once more with no resistance at all. 

“Uhn–! Fuck– G-Gege…” Hua Cheng whined. 

“Hah– San Lang, you’re so… wet…” Xie Lian immediately melted as that warm crevice enveloped his cock once more, making him feel more at home than he had ever felt anywhere in his entire life. 

Xie Lian tried to keep a slow pace, riding out their orgasms gracefully. It was completely in vain, however. There was no resisting the push and pull of those insistent growls and whines, whether from himself or Hua Cheng. 

“Uhn-! Ah-! Mmn–!” Xie Lian sobbed, his amber eyes rolling into the back of his head. “San Lang!”

“G-Gege–! I– I–!” 

As Hua Cheng’s words died in his throat and his body tensed up once more, squeezing the life out of Xie Lian’s cock. The prince felt himself tip over the edge, and his hips stuttered in jolts. He felt like he was in the clouds and floating among the stars. 

It was so much, and so hot, so… so…

“ … Gege?” 

Xie Lian bit his bottom lip, trying to stifle his heavy gasping as he caught his breath. His gaze darted to his side, glancing up at his husband, who was looking down at him. Resting on his elbow and resting his sharp jaw in his hand, Hua Cheng’s inky strands pooled around him. Xie Lian squirmed– his husband looked bewitchingly handsome as ever. Yet, there was an unmistakable gleam in that mismatched gaze. 

The prince blushed profusely. “S-San Lang… I…”

“It’s alright, gege. Don’t let this one stop you.” Hua Cheng cooed foxily, that grin glinting a little in the moonlight that streamed through the window. “Did your husband not satisfy you enough?”

This man had set off a wild, raging fire in him, and there was no dousing it anytime soon. No, Hua Cheng had certainly satisfied him thoroughly— it was precisely because of this that he was using it as a way to get off on his own! Shameless!

He squirmed. “N-No, not at all… I just… I had a dream.” Xie Lian muttered stupidly. 

“Oh? And what sort of nature was this dream?” Hua Cheng asked, ghosting his fingertips along the prince’s arm in a feather-light caress. “Will gege tell his San Lang?”

“It’s… It’s not pleasant. I just… got… sidetracked…” Xie Lian mumbled, his face burning. “I’m sorry I woke you.”

Hua Cheng paused, then chuckled sleepily. “You didn’t, gege.” He reassured. “ … Would you like to talk about it?” 

Xie Lian really didn’t. At least not when his cock had stiffened to half-mast once more at his husband’s gaze and deep voice. “Not… Now… I…” He managed, squirming. 

Hua Cheng’s gaze panned downward, and then he smirked. “ … Does gege need some help?” 

Xie Lian had barely nodded before the lord shifted his body downward, situating himself between the prince’s legs. The sheets were lifted, and Xie Lian gasped a little as cool air hit his groin. He watched as Hua Cheng’s gleaming eyes took him in, and if he hadn’t been watching, the prince wouldn’t have noticed the slight licking of those pretty lips. 

The lord’s mismatched gaze flicked upward. “ … Does His Highness think we can try fucking him this time? This one is still a little worn out.” Hua Cheng said. 

Xie Lian squeaked in embarrassment. “I-I’m sorry–” 

“I enjoyed it, Your Highness. It’s a good kind of worn out, I promise.” Hua Cheng replied. “Now… I noticed gege seemed to like it when I slipped a finger inside him.”

Xie Lian was done for. “I… yes…” He muttered. 

“Would he like this one to do it again?”

Xie Lian nodded once, and Hua Cheng grinned in the way that the prince knew was his blissful end. 

✧

— Two Weeks Later

Hua Cheng had promised Xie Lian something. 

Meeting this person was something the lord had planned before, but he hadn’t assumed it would be so soon after they had exchanged vows. 

As the two walked through Paradise Manor arm in arm, they were almost as silent as they had been the night of their wedding. The tension was high, but for a different reason entirely. 

The dark wooden doors were the same as they had always been: large and ominous-looking even to those who had seen them countless times. The incredibly intricate locking mechanism puzzle on the door was needlessly complex. Unfortunately, the sight reminded the lord of his father’s hideous existence. 

Supposedly, father and son shared many of the same features, but neither would have admitted it outwardly. Nor would they have allowed someone to walk the streets if that person had uttered a word suggesting it. Because of this, there were many citizens of Silver City who feared Hua Cheng, but not nearly as many who adored him in comparison. 

Gritting his teeth, he crouched in front of the slot he hadn’t seen in years. Reaching forward, he grasped the knob but then hesitated. It had been years… would Qi Rong still cooperate with him?

“San Lang, is everything alright?” Xie Lian whispered, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. 

“ … Mm. Like I said, there’s someone I want you to meet.” Hua Cheng said. “Just… be aware that he has quite the vulgar mouth. Try to weed out what you can, and I can help the rest of the way if you need.”

Xie Lian quirked his brow slightly, but nodded. Hua Cheng then knocked on the slot once and opened it. 

The lord nearly jumped out of his skin as a pair of narrow, amber eyes greeted him. Hua Cheng could see the similarities now, though there were some differences. Besides having more angled eyes, the insane glint in those irises shone like the magma rivers of a volcano, rather than the warm glow of an incense stick. 

Hua Cheng smirked. “It’s been a while, Qi Rong.” 

The man in green laughed snidely. “Certainly. I happily accept Lord Hua Cheng gracing me with his presence.” He said, his tone erratic enough that Hua Cheng could not place whether his friend was livid or amused. 

He thought for a moment that the effects of the flower had taken hold again, but at this point, nothing would deter him. Additionally, his husband was much too curious a creature to just back down, either. 

“Come on,” Hua Cheng mused, his voice edged, “I would have come to see you sooner had I not been busy cleaning up Hua Zhenghua’s endless loose ends.”

The eerie silence that followed sent a prickle up Hua Cheng’s spine, but he didn’t dare show it. If his friend wanted to play that game, he would play.

Qi Rong huffed, leaning back from the slot and sitting with his arms crossed like a fussy child not getting his way. “Don’t try to come up with excuses, Hong’er. I know you’re here because you want something from me.” Qi Rong said, his tone bitter. 

Even amidst his scorn, his friend used a diminutive that if used by anyone else would have gotten their throat slit. Hua Cheng chuckled, grinning. “I won’t argue with that. But I have been busy.”

“Oh, I’m sure! Shamelessly fucking around with that Wuyong trash, you dog.” Qi Rong spat, rolling his eyes contemptuously. “I thought you said you hated them! What happened?!”

This was Qi Rong all right— running his mouth in the most vulgar fashion possible. It had only amused Hua Cheng to no end when they were kids. However, that amusement had flickered into irritation, more so now that he was talking about his husband, Xie Lian, like that. 

As much as he disliked his husband seeing this side of him, he bared his teeth. “Cut the bullshit.” Hua Cheng snarled, getting straight to the point. “Do you remember that painting you showed me of your cousin?” 

Qi Rong’s gaze lifted in curiosity. “Yeah, what about it? I thought you wouldn’t need masturbation materials now that you’ve got a husband.” He asked.

Hua Cheng ignored his comment, internally scoffing. All he hoped was that Xie Lian didn’t think he was some sort of creep. As it was, the prince didn’t say anything and simply listened. 

The lord reached into his crimson robes and pulled out two pieces of parchment that had been carefully folded together. One was much older than the other and quite rough around the edges, as if it had nearly escaped being set aflame a few times. The other was at most a year old, the blueish-green paints much more vibrant on the page. 

As it was, both paintings depicted handsome young men with flowing robes, long dark hair, and a gentle brow. There were hardly any differences. 

Seeing Qi Rong’s eyes widen, Hua Cheng couldn’t help but smile. “Qi Rong, this is Xie Lian. Your Highness…” The lord took his husband’s hand, “This is your cousin, otherwise known as Prince Xiao-Jing.”

Xie Lian’s eyes were wide, and his hand trembled as the lord grasped it. Hua Cheng was still, not wanting to interrupt. 

It was honestly quite amusing. The lord moved over so that Xie Lian could crouch in front of the slot. The prince stared at Qi Rong, who stared right back. They observed each other for quite some time, and Hua Cheng didn’t dare break the silence. 

“ … I thought…” Xie Lian muttered. “I thought I was the last one…” 

Qi Rong paused before letting out an airy laugh. “Not so, biaodi. And here I was thinking you were some Wuyong trash.” He said, clicking his tongue. “Was that where you’ve been hiding all this time? What happened?” 

“I…” Xie Lian pressed his lips into a thin line, then glanced back at Hua Cheng. “I honestly don’t know. Jun Wu told me a lot of things, but now I’m starting to suspect that at least some of those things were untrue…” 

The blaze of rage that flickered behind those insane eyes was quick, but still visible. Qi Rong turned his head and spat on the ground. “That piece of shit can suck a million cocks and choke on them. Jun Wu is a twat who tried to rape his way into the Xianle royal family, and got pissy that he was unsuccessful.” He said. “They even tried to keep good connections with the noble family! And how did he thank us? By destroying the entirety of Xinale!”

Xie Lian’s eyes were wide, and his jaw dropped. “He… He… What??” He managed, his gaze flicking back to Hua Cheng as if to confirm. 

The young lord tilted his head, not able to confirm or deny. This lined up with everything he’d been told in the past, so as far as he knew, it was true. 

“Lord Jun “stick up my ass” Wu is not all as high-and-fucking-mighty as he makes himself out to be.” Qi Rong asked, sniffing and wrinkling his nose. “I thought he might’ve tried to kill you as a baby, but it seems like his plan was a lot more sinister and petty than that to have kept you alive, as his son, no less. Whether it was the one who did what he did to our grandfather, or whether he’s some later relative, those asshats are all the same. Dirty degenerates.”

Xie Lian hesitated to respond, clearly overwhelmed. Hua Cheng squeezed his hand lovingly. “We don’t have to get into all of it right now if you don’t want to, Your Highness.” He whispered. “You and Qi Rong can also just try to get to know each other.” 

Qi Rong glared at him, but the lord simply smiled. The prince chewed on that for a moment before glancing up at the man in green once more. 

“Can… If I may ask… Why are you locked up?” Xie Lian asked quietly. 

Qi Rong’s scrutinizing gaze flitted between the two. “Well, I’m not going to tell him.” Qi Rong retorted. 

The lord sighed and nodded once. “Prince Xiao-Jing was found wandering the streets of Silver City, causing trouble for the merchants. I found him on a walk with my mother, and we took him in.” Hua Cheng explained. “He was raised as a brother to me, even if I had two older ones already. Though they might as well have not existed— Qi Rong was the only one that actually gave me the time of day.”

Xie Lian’s gaze softened a little at that. The prince always seemed to want to know more about Hua Cheng’s past, as much as it confused the lord. 

“As for why he’s locked up…” Hua Cheng said, running a thumb along the top of the prince’s hand, “that would be Hua Zhenghua’s fault.”

Qi Rong spat in his chambers again. Xie Lian tilted his head. “Hua Zhenghua?” He repeated. 

“A fucking bastard of a father who never gave two shits about anyone other than himself and his wine.” Qi Rong snarled. “He put me in here because…” He sighed. 

“Because of the effects of the flower that had poisoned all of Xianle. It was the reason it fell into chaos.” Hua Cheng finished for him. 

This was a fact that he could for sure relay to Xie Lian, as he had read it in a book and confirmed it with Qi Rong. Additionally, whenever the healers had come to help his childhood friend, they were equally horrified and confused. 

“What flower is it?” Xie Lian asked, looking back at Qi Rong. “What… What does it do?”

“It makes you go fucking insane!” Qi Rong said cheerfully. “I was so young when I was exposed to it, so I’m fine, right, Hong’er?” His smile was much too wide to be considered genuine. 

Hua Cheng rolled his eyes. “The healers suspected that it was because you were so young and healthy that you were able to avoid some of the effects. That, and you had been able to escape before the fires started.” 

Xie Lian’s eyes seemed to flicker with some form of recognition. His fingers twitched, and he chewed on his lip. 

“Gege, what is it?” Hua Cheng asked. Qi Rong snorted, and he firmly ignored it. 

“I… I think I know what happened.” Xie Lian said quietly. 

Now it was Hua Cheng’s turn to be shocked. “What do you mean? Gege, explain, please.” He said. 

The prince took a breath and recounted a horrible dream he had the second night of their wedding. Qi Rong listened in equal silence with the lord. As the retelling progressed, Hua Cheng cursed mentally for not pressing sooner. If he knew it was this clear, he would’ve taken Xie Lian to see Qi Rong as soon as possible!

“I’m… not entirely sure if it’s accurate. It was just so vivid, I… I don’t know. It might mean nothing.” Xie Lian said, furrowing his gentle brow anxiously. Hua Cheng squeezed his hand again. 

“That’s…” Qi Rong said. “That’s freaky. How… How did you dream of all that?”

“I don’t know. I don’t have vivid dreams very often, so when I do, they stick out to me.” Xie Lian said. “It… it was awful. I… Was the figure in white… Jun Wu?” 

Silence enveloped the three for a moment. “ … Could be possible.” Hua Cheng said. “Or perhaps a servant of his.”

Qi Rong shook his head. “There’s no way. Xie Lian, can you describe what the mask looked like again?” He asked. 

The more details that were divulged on this nefarious individual in all white, wearing a clay mask, the more blood seemed to drain from Qi Rong’s face. 

“That’s… Bai Wuxiang. It has to be.” Qi Rong whispered. 

“Who?” The lord and the prince asked simultaneously. 

Qi Rong sighed heavily. “He’s a ghost.” He replied. 

“How do you know?” Xie Lian asked. 

“I know, because he’s the one who spread all the rumors about the Xianle royal family being tyrants who hoarded resources!” Qi Rong hissed. “He whispered resentment into the ears of the nobles and the common people, full of lies and deceit.

“If I’ll be honest, though, if the people were so quick to turn on their caretakers, they were probably just looking for a reason.” Qi Rong spat bitterly. 

Hua Cheng glanced at Xie Lian again. The prince seemed very overwhelmed, but the lord had to trust that his husband would let him know if it was all too much. 

Xie Lian sighed. “People do seem to bite the hand that feeds them…” He muttered. “This… This is just a lot to take in. I think… Qi Rong, I’d like to know more about you. About… our family.”

Qi Rong was taken aback— his eyes widened. As far as Hua Cheng knew, he had been the only one to ask his friend this question and take an interest in his past. For the first time in years, Qi Rong’s gaze softened, and he threw his head back in a laugh. 

Xie Lian’s mouth quirked, and he leaned toward Hua Cheng. “Did… Did I say something wrong?” He muttered, as Qi Rong continued to laugh, those giggles turning into howls as he rolled on the floor of his chamber. 

The lord smiled slightly. “You’ve made him very happy, Your Highness.” Hua Cheng said. “I think this will be good for both of you.” 

Pressing a soft kiss to Xie Lian’s temple, Hua Cheng rubbed his thumb over his husband’s knuckles to reassure him. “Shall I leave the two of you to it? I’ll check back in an hour or so.” He offered. 

Xie Lian chewed on the offer for a moment as Qi Rong’s mirth slowly subsided. “ … I think that would be nice.” He said. 

Hua Cheng nodded and moved to get up. However, the prince still held tightly to his hand. He glanced down, his slender brows raised. “Your Highness?”

Xie Lian lifted Hua Cheng’s hand to his lips, brushing a feather-light kiss on his knuckle. Glancing up at the young lord with those beautiful amber eyes that only ever belonged to his beloved, Hua Cheng felt he could die right then and be very content. 

“ … Thank you, San Lang. For everything.” Xie Lian said. 

Hua Cheng paused, then smiled. “Of course, Your Highness.”

Chapter Text

 — A few months later 

The sun rose over the horizon, slowly melting any ice or snow that remained from the night before. Birds celebrated the early spring morning with sweet songs, chirps carrying through the streets of Silver City and the wings of Paradise Manor. It was not until the sun was well above the horizon that the two lovers finally woke up, tangled in each other's arms. 

Xie Lian sat up, rubbing his eyes and squinting out the window to view the sunny day. Hua Cheng groaned sleepily next to him as the prince stirred. “Gege…”  

“Shh… It’s okay. I’m just getting up. Not going anywhere.” Xie Lian said, petting his husband’s forehead. The lord whined a quiet protest as Xie Lian slipped out of his embrace, getting out of bed to prepare for the day ahead.

They needed a distraction from all the catching up Qi Rong did with Xie Lian. They’d been discussing such grim topics, and Xie Lian even witnessed Qi Rong becoming influenced by the flower once more. 

Just as Hua Cheng had come around the corner and Xie Lian met his mismatched gaze, Qi Rong sputtered a cough behind the door. No sooner had the prince’s head whipped around, he caught a glimpse of the blood and gods only knew what else on the floor. But there was no sign of Qi Rong.

“Qi Rong? Qi Rong!” Xie Lian called, his voice rising in pitch as the worry further set in. Then came the screaming laughter, sending a horrifying chill down his spine. 

Strange babblings and shouts were ripped from Qi Rong’s chest, and he choked on something wet. Likely more blood. 

Xie Lian couldn’t help himself and moved closer to the door, peeking inside the chamber. His eyes snapped wide, and his stomach lurched. 

Thick, dark blood was smeared all over the floor and Qi Rong’s robes. His body convulsed wildly, choked sounds puffing past his lips, and his nearly purple-bloodshot eyes rolling into the back of his head. Limbs smacked against the wood floor every which way, and Xie Lian swore he heard a crack. 

“Gege.” Hua Cheng whispered, placing a hand on his shoulder. Xie Lian jolted and his head whipped around, noticing that his husband’s eyes were strangely sad. 

“S-San Lang… Shouldn’t we get a healer? He’s… He’s…” Xie Lian couldn’t seem to manage the words to describe the horror inside the room. His brows were quirked in concern, not knowing what to do. 

Hua Cheng shook his head. “They stopped being able to do anything years ago. And besides… Qi Rong won’t see them anyway.” He said quietly. 

Xie Lian bit his lip and didn’t argue when his husband helped him to his feet. The prince wasn’t sure who was gripping whom tighter as they walked away, but he swore that his husband was quivering. 

Especially after that, Xie Lian felt like they deserved a break.

The third day after their wedding, they met with Lord Jun Wu in the Wuyong Clan to complete the entire marriage process. The trip had been long, which had made both of them short-tempered with pretty much everyone but each other. Hua Cheng even snapped at Yin Yu as they were leaving, but then very quickly apologized. Xie Lian almost started a fight with Jun Wu at the table while they ate, which Feng Xin had to diffuse— Feng Xin of all people! 

On top of everything, it certainly hadn’t helped that Hua Cheng seemed to have forgotten that both of the prince’s attendants were coming back with them to Paradise Manor. The lord had been in a bad mood for the rest of the day, as well as Yin Yu. 

“Gege, why are you getting ready?" Hua Cheng asked groggily. “We don’t need to be anywhere today.”

His husband’s morning voice brought the prince out of his thoughts. “I was thinking San Lang could show me the city.” Xie Lian mused.

When he turned his head to glance at his husband, the prince hardly expected the unbridled shine of excitement that appeared in Hua Cheng’s eyes. Xie Lian smiled back, finishing off his hair with a small gold comb. 

This particular comb was one of Hua Cheng’s engagement gifts to him, the top shaped to resemble a begonia in full bloom. It was one of his favorites, but the prince had not gotten a chance to wear it yet.

Once he was finished putting himself together, Xie Lian turned to face Hua Cheng. He meant to show off only a little, since this was one of the first times he had ever dressed this much on his own without his attendants. 

Xie Lian’s robes had one longer red layer underneath and two different white layers on top that were shorter, with gold flower embroidery on the shoulders of the outermost one. A red silk belt wrapped around his waist, a gift that Hua Cheng had also given him.

His husband quickly looked him up and down, eating him up with those beautiful mismatched eyes that seemed to glow in the morning light. Xie Lian felt a bashful smile pull at his lips. “What does San Lang think?” He asked, turning little to show off.

“This one thinks that Your Highness would look good in anything. But this choice is lovely.” Hua Cheng cooed.

The prince chuckled softly and strolled to the bedside. “You flatterer. Come on— up.” Xie Lian urged, holding out his hands to Hua Cheng to help him from the covers. 

As the two finished getting dressed, and soon heard a soft knock on the door. No sooner had Hua Cheng permitted the attendant to enter, Yin Yu quickly stepped through the door and shut it, looking incredibly frazzled. He turned to Xie Lian, bowed, and then quickly rose. 

“Your Highness, your attendants—” Yin Yu sputtered. 

“Are they causing you trouble, Yin Yu?” Xie Lian asked, tilting his head a little.

“Well… yes and no…” Yin Yu mumbled. “I don’t mean to bring trouble to you, masters. I apologize.”

Hua Cheng sighed, and Xie Lian rubbed his forehead. He knew that his husband did not particularly like his attendants, especially Feng Xin, considering the predicament at the engagement banquet in the summer, as well as the travel back from the Wuyong Clan. 

Mu Qing and Feng Xin had bickered practically the whole way, much to everyone’s annoyance. Since then, Yin Yu had tried his best to keep the two of them away from Hua Cheng, therefore keeping them away from Xie Lian as well. 

Yin Yu cleared his throat and opened his mouth to speak again, only to be cut off by another knock on the door. Xie Lian sighed, feeling the tension in the room rising by the moment. He glanced at his husband, who nodded reluctantly, before he bid his attendant permission to enter. 

Mu Qing opened the door, his arms full of neatly folded linens and robes. He politely addressed them, bowing quickly. “Your Highness, I brought some robes— Oh. You’re already dressed?”

“Mm. I think I did it right?” Xie Lian looked down at himself, twisting his torso.

Mu Qing turned to shut the door before setting down the neat pile on the dark wood dresser by the bed. He took a few steps toward him and surveyed the layering, keeping a close eye on the details of the entire outfit. “I don’t know why you didn’t just wait for me. There’s some loose ends here…” Mu Qing trailed off, nitpicking the robe as if to find some flaws with it. 

Yin Yu and Hua Cheng stood by silently, the awkwardness of this situation creeping further into Xie Lian’s perception. Glancing at the older attendant, Xie Lian raised his arms as Mu Qing tightened his belt.  “Yin Yu, if there is an issue with either of these two, please just come to me. If I am not around, feel free to discipline them as you see fit.” Xie Lian said.

Yin Yu nodded respectfully, his gaze averted. “Yes, Your Highness.” He said. 

Finishing his nitpicking, Mu Qing glanced back at Hua Cheng but very quickly took a step back, his gaze fixed on the floor. Xie Lian wouldn’t have been surprised if his husband had glared at him, accidentally or not. 

Just as the prince was about to ask about Feng Xin’s whereabouts, the bodyguard’s unmistakable stomping footsteps approached the quarters. 

Hua Cheng made a sound that was akin to a growl, that mismatched gaze quickly flitting to his own attendant. The lord didn’t have to say a word— Yin Yu immediately exited the room, shutting the door behind him. Feng Xin’s footfalls abruptly ceased, and hushed voices conversed quickly, but none of the exchange could be made out from inside the room.

Sensing that it was time for him to leave, Mu Qing bowed again quickly before leaving the room in a hurry. Xie Lian sighed, turning to his husband. “I’m sorry, San Lang. They’ve always been like this...” He said apologetically.

The man in red smiled patiently and took a few steps toward him, wrapping an arm around his waist and pulling him close. Pressing their foreheads together, he sighed. “Gege does not have to apologize. If anything–” 

Very suddenly, the hushed voices became not so hushed. It sounded like arguing, particularly with the random swears being thrown around that he knew were from Feng Xin. 

Xie Lian groaned quietly, burying his face in his husband’s shoulder. Would the chaos ever end?

✧

Feng Xin tailed them throughout Silver City, keeping a distance but remaining just close enough to be within earshot of anything they said to each other. 

Hua Cheng tried to seem gentle whenever Xie Lian would address him, but the prince could tell that his husband was very displeased with Feng Xin’s presence. Not that Xie Lian could argue. He had been looking forward to Hua Cheng showing him around— preferably alone. 

Despite that, the two tried to make the best of it. 

Silver City was a rapidly flowing business hub, especially on that day. The smell of greasy, savory street food wafted through the streets, the shouts of artisans advertising their wares— Xie Lian had not been allowed to experience anything like this before. It was entirely new, and it was exhilarating.

Even if the streets were crowded, the citizens somehow knew when to make way for the two of them. If Hua Cheng could command this much respect from everyone amidst the chaos, the citizens must either greatly fear or love their lord. 

Suddenly, someone called out to them, bringing Xie Lian out of his musings.

“Crimson Rain! Your Highness!”

The two of them turned to the side and saw a bright-eyed young person approaching them and smiling cheerfully behind a white fan. They sported beautiful white and teal robes, their cloak almost equal in quality to the one Xie Lian wore. Standing in front of them, they clicked their fan closed and bowed respectfully. “So is this your new husband, My Lord? You’re so cruel to keep this beauty all to yourself! Especially so close to the Dongzhi festival…” They said, playfully. 

Xie Lian found himself chuckling at the flamboyant flattery. Hua Cheng smiled lightly, motioning to the young person in front of them. “Your Highness, this is Shi Qingxuan, one of the local business owners here. Shi Qingxuan, this is Xie Lian.” Hua Cheng was introduced.

“Ah, I see. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Shi Qingxuan.” Xie Lian said politely.

“The pleasure's all mine, Your Highness!” They said, grinning. “I hope you visit my establishment sometime. I would be happy to personally give you the premium pampering package for no cost, of course.” 

Indeed, as Shi Qingxuan spoke, Xie Lian did notice that this person’s skin, in particular, was practically flawless in appearance. They must have quite an arsenal of knowledge at their disposal to achieve that level of beauty.

“Are you suggesting that I don’t already take good care of His Highness?” Hua Cheng asked, grinning.

Xie Lian would’ve been worried had Shi Qingxuan not immediately laughed. “Not at all, My Lord! My, my… So easy to provoke.”

Xie Lian shook his head. Even if it wasn’t his thing, the offer was still appreciated. Feng Xin huffed impatiently behind him. Ignoring him, Xie Lian smiled politely at Shi Qingxuan. “You’re very kind, thank you. I’d like to get to know you better sometime, anyhow.” Xie Lian said.

“Of course, of course! Ming-xiong is a bit of a recluse, but a dinner with all of us would be lovely! How does tonight sound?” Shi Qingxuan said earnestly.

Xie Lian would have to ask who “Ming-xiong” was later. As it was, Xie Lian was slightly taken aback at the spontaneity, but he had to admit he was excited at the idea of making a new connection. “I… Why not?” He said, smiling. Then, he paused and glanced up at his husband. “Oh– if that’s alright with you?”

Hua Cheng let out an airy chuckle. “If His Highness desires it, who am I to deny him, hm?” He said. 

“Goodness, Crimson Rain, didn’t know you were such a charmer!” Shi Qingxuan teased. “How shameless you are.”

Xie Lian brought a sleeve up to his face, trying not to blush too much. Hua Cheng was honestly hiding a lot more than he had realized. “I…” Xie Lian muttered. 

Shi Qingxuan waved their hand. “Oh, there’s nothing to worry about, Your Highness. I’m just teasing a friend.” They said, grinning. “What were you two doing out here anyhow? Just getting some fresh air?”

Xie Lian nodded. “I hadn’t seen the city yet. San Lang was just touring me around.” He said.

“Oh! Why didn’t you say so? Then don’t let me interrupt.” Shi Qingxuan said, clicking open their fan and bowing. “See you tonight!”

Just like that, the exchange was over just as quickly as it had begun. Shi Qingxuan strolled off quickly, those flowering robes disappearing into the crowd. It seemed as though the pace of everything moved very fast in the city, which is something Xie Lian would have to get used to.

Glancing up at his husband, he found that Hua Cheng had already been looking down at him. Cheeks prickling with blush, Xie Lian pressed his lips together, but resisted the urge to look away. 

“Is gege tired?” Hua Cheng asked, leaning down and speaking more softly. “Did I work him too hard the other night?”

The lord was giving him a foxy grin, and the prince blushed. “I-I’m fine! I just… I want to keep walking just a bit more before we head back.” Xie Lian replied, trying to maintain his composure. 

“Mm. Alright. I think I know just the place.” Hua Cheng replied.

The lord led him down the busy streets, his pace a little faster than normal. Xie Lian held him close, wondering if his husband was perhaps attempting to lose their ever-persistent company behind them. Not that he would argue with that. 

The two ducked into an alleyway and then continued further towards the port, Hua Cheng’s pace still very quick. They reached a part of town without clear roads, just as he thought he should ask to slow down.  

Abruptly stopping on a small hill with tall, brown grass, Xie Lian found himself slightly out of breath. Maybe Hua Cheng was right to ask what he did earlier. 

His husband leaned close to his ear, speaking quietly. “Gege, look up.” Hua Cheng whispered.

Xie Lian gasped. The sight of the ocean was breathtaking, and paintings certainly had not done it justice. It was more vast than the prince could have ever imagined, boats at the port like small dots in comparison to the deep blue that stretched to the horizon. Waves caught the sunlight, glinting pure gold as they crashed against the shore.

“San Lang…” Xie Lian whispered.

“You may have seen it on our wedding day, but this one thought you might want to see it when you’re not so nervous.” Hua Cheng said quietly.

Xie Lian’s heart swelled. He knew that he was too tired to do much else other than look, but he knew that it couldn’t be avoided now that he knew they could go at any time. He had told Hua Cheng that he had never seen the ocean in their letters back and forth, explaining how Jun Wu thought it was a hassle. Hua Cheng had then promised to take him to the shore as soon as he could.

“It seems like San Lang remembered This Highness’s wish.” Xie Lian said, smiling.

“How could I forget?” Hua Cheng said, tugging on his arm gently. “Shall we?”

Xie Lian nodded, and the two strolled down the hill. Only once they hit sand did he realize how one might get annoyed with this very quickly. The two had to change how they walked, keeping their balance proving very difficult. Thankfully, there didn’t seem to be any people on the beach. 

Finally, it happened. Xie Lian stumbled and tripped forward, yelping in surprise. Ever the gentleman, Hua Cheng reached forward to catch him. Despite those noble efforts, the universe seemed to insist that the two of them make a fool of themselves whenever possible, in public or otherwise. 

Xie Lian looked down and realized that they were in a very similar position to that evening in the garden, and many other heated nights over the time they had shared a bed. Though Hua Cheng’s face was not as red as it had been that night, his cheeks and nose were still pink from the cold. Xie Lian couldn’t help but laugh at how silly this all was. Yet, as usual, Hua Cheng was quick to tease him. 

“Gege… if you were so eager to be on top of this one again, why not just request it? You don’t have to be so elaborate to make it seem accidental.” Hua Cheng mused, his lips curling into a mischievous smirk. “Has this San Lang been neglecting His Highness?” 

“San Lang–!” Xie Lian cried and moved to get off his husband. 

However, Hua Cheng quickly wrapped his strong arms around Xie Lian’s waist and pulled him close. Then, he playfully pecked the tip of the prince’s nose and smiled, chuckling.

“It was an accident…” Xie Lian muttered insistently into his chest. 

“Forgive me. This one is just teasing his gege.” Hua Cheng said quietly. 

After a moment, Xie Lian got over the initial embarrassment and grinned mischievously. 

Robes and sand flew as they wrestled and rolled around on the shore, laughing all the while. Even if he could have very easily fought him off, Xie Lian allowed himself to be pinned underneath his husband, their positions flipped.

“Seems like Lord Crimson Rain has overtaken me. Whatever shall this one do?” Xie Lian mused. The prince noticed that flirting seemingly came easier to him once he got his heart going first. 

Hua Cheng laughed, his joyful expression more radiant than the full moon. Sand was in their hair and clung to their robes. Normally, Xie Lian might hate the gritty texture against his skin, but his husband’s beauty took all of his attention. He reached his hand up and caressed the cheekbone just beneath that beautiful crimson flower of an iris.

Before Xie Lian could get too lost in that gaze, his husband reciprocated his flirtatious teasing, tone soft and low. “Not sure… What would this handsome gege request of this one?" Hua Cheng asked. “Since he called me Crimson Rain, he must know all of the stories. Isn’t he nervous that this demon might steal him away?”

Xie Lian smiled, humming a quiet chuckle. Before anything could progress, the prince realized how improper this would look if someone discovered them. “How lovely. I have several ideas, My Lord… But…”

“Hm?”

“… We’re quite the mess.” Xie Lian said reluctantly.

“Mm.” If Hua Cheng was disappointed, he hid it well. Helping each other to their feet, they dusted off what sand they could. Xie Lian really noticed the grittiness now that Hua Cheng was not able to take up his entire scope of vision. 

Heading back into town up the small hill, they were finally discovered by Feng Xin. The bodyguard rushed to them and addressed Xie Lian, barely giving Hua Cheng a second glance.

“Your Highness! Did something happen? Are you alright?" Feng Xin exclaimed.

“I’m just fine, Feng Xin. I was with San Lang the whole time.” Xie Lian reassured, motioning toward his husband next to him. 

Feng Xin shot an accusatory glance at Hua Cheng before looking Xie Lian over, his expression becoming puzzled. “Why are you covered in sand?”

 “And why do you need to know everything about His Highness’s business?” Hua Cheng finally spoke up, his tone dangerously sharp.

The two glared at each other. The bodyguard puffed up his chest and advanced forward, intending to cut between the two. His back to Xie Lian, Feng Xin began a sharp retort, “I’ll ask you this, then–”

“ Feng Xin , that’s enough. I already told you everything is fine." Xie Lian's tone was icy, immediately grabbing his bodyguard's attention. He sighed, pinching his brow. "Let’s just all go back to Paradise Manor, please.”

The bodyguard hesitated but backed off, bowing quickly towards Xie Lian. The blatant display of disrespect towards his husband made the prince’s chest grow tight and his jaw clench. In a huff, he leaned his head on Hua Cheng's shoulder, staying like this the entire rest of the way back.

The trio arrived back at Paradise Manor, greeted by Yin Yu and Mu Qing. Feng Xin was still tailing the couple up the steps, and Xie Lian could feel Hua Cheng’s body get more tense as each moment passed. He gently squeezed his arm to try and comfort him. 

Yin Yu abruptly grabbed Feng Xin by the arm and jerked him backward, away from the couple. Xie Lian could hear the hushed scolding behind them, and Hua Cheng sighed quietly. 

As they arrived at the top of the stairs, a thought crossed his mind, and a light blush dusted his cheeks. “San Lang… Would you like to clean up with me?” Xie Lian asked quietly. 

Hua Cheng kept walking, but his eyes said everything. “If Your Highness wants to… Yes.” He said, glancing at him and grinning. 

✧

The prince wondered what was keeping his husband so long. Even Xie Lian wasn’t this shy.

Steam rolled off the surface of the water of the bath, and Xie Lian breathed deeply. Delicate white flower petals danced and twirled even in the stillness. Despite the peace, Hua Cheng had yet to join him.

Xie Lian turned his head and saw that his husband was still partially in an inner robe, his eyes closed and his brows furrowed. Slender arms were crossed over his chest, nearly burrowing into his skin. He was upset about something, though Xie Lian didn’t know what. 

The prince sighed quietly. “San Lang, what are you doing?” Xie Lian asked. 

Hua Cheng’s mismatched eyes opened, and he glanced down at the prince, his expression complicated. The grip on his robes tightened. 

The prince smirked. “… Is San Lang going to get in, or is he content standing there staring at this one?” Xie Lian teased. “We’ve seen each other so many times, surely it’s alright?”

Hua Cheng averted his gaze, saying nothing. “You… Haven’t seen everything.” He muttered. 

Xie Lian’s heart squeezed, and his smile softened further. “San Lang… You know I don’t care about that. I won’t see you any differently.” He said, leaning against the tiled edge of the bathing pool. “Just come here.”

After what felt like an eternity, Hua Cheng finally shuffled his way to the bath and stood at the edge, seeming to brace himself as he looked down into the water. His feet crossed over each other in an awkward fashion, which Xie Lian found quite endearing. 

Then, those slender fingers slowly loosened the silk belt around the robe. Xie Lian found himself staring as the fabric slipped down those smooth shoulders, revealing more and more of Hua Cheng’s beautiful porcelain figure. 

The lord’s frame wasn’t exactly delicate in structure, but he wasn’t incredibly sturdy-looking either. Legs long and slender, looking like they belonged to a masterfully carved white jade statue rather than a man. 

Then, Xie Lian finally saw the incredibly small things on that firm chest that Hua Cheng had been so insistent on covering. The prince couldn’t help but think: … That’s it?

Once the robe slid slightly lower than that slim waist, Xie Lian’s gaze quickly darted to the suddenly very interesting surface of the water , feeling a burning heat rise to his ears. He pulled his legs to his chest just as his husband stepped into the bath out of his view, the water rippling gently at the disturbance. Hua Cheng stood in the water for a moment, seeming to hesitate, before sliding next to Xie Lian, their shoulders brushing together. 

The two stayed like this for a while in agonizing silence. Hua Cheng seemed to be unable to take it anymore and ducked under the surface, wetting his hair and face. Xie Lian also sank himself lower into the bath, rinsing off the remaining sand from the beach earlier. The gritty particles fell through the water like a strange snowfall, just barely dotting the tiles as they hit the bottom of the pool. 

As he parted his inky hair into sections and combed through the thick strands, Hua Cheng still refused to make eye contact with the prince. 

Xie Lian didn’t know what to say that might comfort Hua Cheng. He wasn’t sure if there was anything he could say. Despite that, he would try anyway. “San Lang?”

“… Mm?” 

“There’s a story I want to tell you. If you’re willing.” Xie Lian said. 

“ … Alright.” Hua Cheng replied. “This one is listening.”

“It’s… kind of silly.” Xie Lian said. “We’ve been betrothed since we were children… When you were twelve and I was fourteen. Before that, though, Jun Wu tried to get me to like… others.” 

Hua Cheng sniffed. “… I’m not surprised. I was cursed as a child, and it was well-known.” He said bitterly. 

Xie Lian continued despite his husband’s bitter tone. “I was shown several beautiful ladies who would’ve loved to marry into the Wuyong clan, or I into theirs. Either way, I would make their families look very good. 

“However, I never liked any of them. None of them wanted to listen to me or even contribute to the conversation. … I refused to look at any more of them, after a while. Jun Wu was furious.” Xie Lian chuckled. “He then said that if I was so adamant against girls, I should marry a man instead. And you know what I said, San Lang?” Xie Lian asked.

“Mm?” Hua Cheng acknowledged, turning his gaze. 

Xie Lian smiled, curling a finger under his husband’s chin, leaning closer. Water dripped from Hua Cheng’s long strands, and Xie Lian observed how the water clung to those black lashes like spring dew on a leaf. His porcelain skin glistened from the bathwater, and his lips were beautifully slick. 

“I said…” Xie Lian whispered, “I would gladly never lay eyes on a woman ever again if it meant I could be with someone who understood me.” 

Hua Cheng’s beautiful mismatched eyes were wide and almost watery. The lord pressed their foreheads together and let out a shuddering sigh. “Your Highness…” He whispered lovingly. 

“San Lang…” Xie Lian called back, equally reverently. “You’re everything to me, and more. You are more than this form allows, and if I had the power to make you exactly as you see yourself, the way I see you… I would make it so.” 

Hua Cheng parted his lips in a nearly silent sob. The prince lifted his head and pressed soft, tender kisses all over the lord’s face, kissing the salty tears as they appeared. Once their lips inevitably connected, Hua Cheng let out a very quiet whimper. Xie Lian wrapped his arms around his neck, pulling him closer. 

Before long, those large hands began to caress Xie Lian’s sides, trailing down to his waist. The prince exhaled quietly through his nose— his husband’s touch was firm but gentle, clearly taking great care when proceeding. Xie Lian’s hands slid up the back of Hua Cheng’s neck, weaving his fingers amidst the dripping strands. His touch produced a soft groan into the kiss, and Xie Lian really didn’t know how much more of this he could take. His stomach was already pooling with heat that wasn’t from the bath, and seeing his husband in such a bare state was bound to do things to him either way. 

“Gege…” Hua Cheng sighed, his voice barely above a mutter. 

The prince was unable to respond before the lord swiped a hot tongue along his bottom lip. “San– Mmn–” Xie Lian whimpered, yet parted his lips to allow his husband access they both craved.

They kissed for a while, only pausing to draw quick breaths before going right back at it. Slow and sweet— incredibly loving. 

One of Xie Lian’s hands had slipped from the back of Hua Cheng’s neck, sliding down his back and around to one of his slender thighs. Hua Cheng didn’t stop him, so the prince continued down. The tips of his fingers stopped right in the middle of Hua Cheng’s abdomen, and his husband finally parted from the kiss, panting. 

“Gege…” Hua Cheng whispered. Xie Lian was pretty sure this was said mostly out of habit, rather than objection or nerves.

Xie Lian smiled. “Would you like this one to touch you?” 

The lord’s eyes widened slightly, and he nodded eagerly. “Yes… This San Lang has waited all day…” Hua Cheng replied, his voice laced with a quiet moan as he leaned back in for another round of wet kisses. 

The thought of his husband wanting him since this morning caused a heat to spread between Xie Lian’s legs, and he shivered. The stolen glances, the flirtatious tones… Everything was adding up. Normally, Hua Cheng was a lot more forward with his desires. It must have been because of the discomfort with something Xie Lian didn’t understand— the prince was certain of it. 

Xie Lian allowed his hand to slip further downward. Both of them gasped into the kiss as those fingertips brushed against a very tender and hot part of the lord. It was one the prince had explored previously several times, yet Xie Lian was still shocked at how stiff it could be. Xie Lian felt his stomach swirl as he pressed back the folds, sliding his fingers around his husband’s throbbing desire. 

A choked moan erupted from his husband’s throat. “Uhn– G-Gege– Please–” Hua Cheng pleaded, his words muffled into the kiss. 

The prince parted from the kiss for a moment, and Hua Cheng whimpered. “Shh… San Lang doesn’t need to beg. Let this one care for you.” Xie Lian cooed, pecking his husband’s nose before kissing him once more. 

Hitched sighs and muffled whines filled the room as the prince began to circle slowly, just as Hua Cheng had shown him previously. Xie Lian would’ve been worried about his performance, yet it was obvious that Hua Cheng was doing his best to remain quiet. This filled the prince with an unparalleled excitement that he was the reason for this pleasure. 

Growing up, Xie Lian would always get incredibly embarrassed whenever he would be required to listen to his teachers instruct him on how to be a good husband, both in the public view and privately behind closed doors. He studied written and visual materials, most of which were incredibly explicit and used very unsensual wording. He had been convinced that nobody could ever make him want to do something like that.  

How naive those thoughts seemed after he had gotten to know Hua Cheng, especially at that moment as he intimately held him in the bath. Nothing could have prepared Xie Lian for how his husband’s reactions would intoxicate him, flooding his mind with an intense heat that clouded his thoughts. All he knew was their shared pleasure. 

With every quiet vocal plea, the prince’s movements would hasten, and the heat against his fingers would twitch and throb more incessantly. Suddenly, Hua Cheng’s body spasmed and his hips bucked up, the water sloshing a little at the sudden movements. A choked whine erupted from his throat, and he further pressed into the kiss to muffle his cries. 

A rush of heat surged like fire throughout Xie Lian’s veins— he felt as though he might just burst from that alone. Hua Cheng’s body went a little limp, and he parted from the kiss, resting his head on the prince’s shoulder. Xie Lian simply held him, listening to his husband’s pounding heartbeat. Prickling heat traveled down his body, and the prince couldn’t help but pant quietly, thinking how he might have to sneak to some secluded corner to finish himself off. 

Hua Cheng let out a quiet groan as his hand slipped from the prince’s shoulder, falling to his lap under the water. Before Xie Lian could stifle it, a small ‘ ah!’ slipped out as the lord’s fingertips ever so slightly brushed against his very stiff cock.

His hands flew to his mouth in embarrassment, his stomach dropping to the bottom of the pool. Hua Cheng lifted his head and glanced at him, his eyes gleaming in interest. Before Xie Lian could bring his legs closer to himself to cover the situation between his thighs, Hua Cheng placed his large hands on his knees. That yearning gaze blazed fervently, despite being already caressed to completion a few moments ago. 

“S-San Lang–” Xie Lian whimpered, his chest beginning to wind up in a tight knot as it was prone to doing. 

“What have I said, hm? That there was ‘no room for guilt’?” Hua Cheng purred.

Xie Lian swallowed. Gentle hands grasped the prince’s wrists and brought his hands down from his face. He no longer had anything to hide behind, which wound his chest tighter and tighter. Slender fingers slid down his arms to his shoulders, and Xie Lian sucked in a nervous breath.

“Can this one return the favor?” Hua Cheng asked, his voice incredibly sultry. 

Xie Lian felt his face go entirely red at the prospect, but he nodded slowly. Butterflies swarmed in his stomach at how his husband’s mouth twitched into a smirk. Long, thin fingers slid down from his shoulders to his chest, getting close but refusing to even give him the satisfaction of brushing the puckered dark beads. Xie Lian squirmed, his stomach fluttering as Hua Cheng continued down his waist and to his legs. He felt his husband’s hands shake slightly as he caressed his inner thighs, eventually pressing his legs apart. 

Xie Lian leaned back, supporting himself with his palms against the stone seat. The anticipation flooded his brain with a fog that he couldn’t get enough of. His entire body felt dizzy, and every touch from those hands felt like fire. 

The moment that Hua Cheng reached his hand towards his groin, their breaths bated, pounding footsteps approached the bathroom. The familiar bickering became louder and louder as the source advanced closer. 

“He asked not to be disturbed, Feng Xin! Are you serious right now?!” Mu Qing cried. 

“His Highness has to know about this!” Feng Xin spat back. 

Xie Lian’s breath caught in his throat. In a split moment, Hua Cheng was under the water, apparently deciding that his mouth would replace what his hands would have done. Xie Lian’s eyes flew open, and he covered his mouth with his hands, muffling any reactionary sounds that slipped out. He tried to compose himself as his bodyguard pounded his fist on the door, which was proving very difficult. Had Hua Cheng somehow not noticed that they were about to be walked in on?

“Your Highness! We need to talk!” Feng Xin called. 

“I-In a moment, Feng Xin! Mmn– ” Xie Lian replied, his voice quaking. 

There was a pause, and he bit down hard on his lip, tasting iron on his tongue. He cursed his stupid throat for making sounds at very inopportune times.

“... Did something happen? Should we come in?” Mu Qing asked, his tone raised in concern.

“NO! I-I mean– Please don’t come in, I’ll be out in a moment.” Xie Lian sighed. 

There were sounds of struggling outside the door, and he knew that there were only mere moments before the door was flung open. Xie Lian wanted to scream in frustration.

As much as he didn’t want him to stop, Xie Lian quickly tapped the top of his husband’s head to alert him. Hua Cheng lifted himself out of the water, looking up with pure lust clouding his mismatched eyes. However, Xie Lian’s urgent expression and the sounds of a scuffle outside the door must have told him everything he needed to know about the situation. With a few quick movements, he helped Xie Lian out of the bath and handed him a robe. 

The door swung open, and Xie Lian had thankfully just covered himself in a few fleeting moments. Hua Cheng lowered into the water as much as he could without submerging his ears and facing toward the wall to hide his face, sticking to the far corner of the pool. 

The two attendants didn’t even seem to notice that the lord was present in the room. 

“Your Highness! Come this way, please!” Feng Xin insisted. 

“Feng Xin, would you quit it?!” Mu Qing hissed, tugging at the bodyguard’s arm. 

“Enough, both of you! What is so urgent that you need to interrupt me right this moment?!” Xie Lian huffed, crossing his arms in front of his chest. 

His irritability was partially attributed to his sexual frustration, but his bodyguard was honestly getting on his nerves. Feng Xin shoved Mu Qing out of the way, causing the attendant to stumble. He thrust out a piece of parchment that was tucked away in a pocket, a very disgusted look on his face as he fanned out what seemed to be a painting. Feng Xin growled, his face almost purple with rage, “I found this while Yin Yu was cleaning Hua Cheng’s study. He must have had this done to look at it privately!”

Xie Lian’s stomach dropped to the floor. Feng Xin, somehow, had found the painting that depicted him as the crown prince of Xianle. Trying to play it off as smoothly as possible, Xie Lian sighed and pinched his brow impatiently. Mu Qing darted around and tried to snatch the painting out of Feng Xin’s hands. Feng Xin simply raised it higher and higher, maneuvering to keep the painting just out of grabbing distance. 

Xie Lian might have thought the scene comical, considering a different context. 

“Does my husband need a reason to keep a painting of me in his study?” Xie Lian asked, cocking an eyebrow behind his hand incredulously. 

Feng Xin somehow became more flustered. “I–” He started. 

“Feng Xin!” huffed a deeper voice. 

Two heads whipped towards the doorway, gazes fixed on Hua Cheng’s personal attendant, Yin Yu, who seemed to have appeared just before Feng Xin made even more of a fool of himself. His expression was that of barely contained fury, which should have shaken the two younger attendants to the core. 

Yin Yu’s tone was steeled, his eyes blazing. “Come here. Now. ”

Mu Qing, having enough self-preservation for both of them, grabbed Feng Xin’s forearm without a word and dragged him out of the room. The door slammed behind them. Xie Lian groaned and buried his face in his hands. 

“Why does gege keep them around?” Hua Cheng asked, an air of concern in his tone. 

Looking up, Xie Lian noticed that his husband had moved from his spot in the corner to the edge of the pool closest to where Xie Lian stood. Hua Cheng was resting his sharp jaw on his wrist, his elbow propped up on the side of the stone pool. He gazed up at his beloved with his brows slightly knitted in concern, his inky hair pooling behind him in the water.

“They are not only my servants, but my friends. … Perhaps my relationship with them may have clouded my regular judgement… I apologize.” Xie Lian replied, sighing heavily. 

Hua Cheng nodded and lifted himself from the water. Xie Lian quickly averted his gaze out of habit, even if they both had explored very intimate places with each other. Robes rustled as his husband dried off and covered himself. He came to stand in front of him, gently taking Xie Lian’s hands and holding them firmly in his own. “I will not say anything if they make you happy.” Hua Cheng said.

Xie Lian smiled and looked up at him, slowly caressing his hands with his thumbs. “San Lang makes me happy.” He replied softly. 

They leaned in towards each other. Hua Cheng’s large hands slid to his waist, and Xie Lian’s slender arms wrapped around his neck. Their bodies fit together so perfectly, this detail small yet powerful, making his stomach flutter and his knees feel weak. It certainly didn’t help as his husband pressed a thigh between his own, reminding Xie Lian how much he wanted to continue their previous activities. He let out a quiet moan and lifted his knee just slightly to allow more access, quickly rewarded with a sultry groan from his love. 

Just as their lips brushed against each other and their eyes were nearly closed, shouting came from outside the doors again, swears flying left and right. Xie Lian huffed impatiently, gritting his teeth. Would he ever get his moment of release?

“3, 2, 1…” He counted to himself, thoroughly annoyed and bringing his foot back down to the floor. 

The door burst open with a flourish, and Feng Xin stormed into the bath once again. Yin Yu dashed after him, his expression somehow even more terrifyingly furious than before. Hua Cheng’s grip tightened around Xie Lian’s waist protectively. 

“You insolent little—!” Yin Yu hissed. 

“Get away from me, old man –” Feng Xin spat. 

“Feng Xin!” Xie Lian growled, having had more than enough of this entire thing. 

Everyone froze, including Hua Cheng, whose body stiffened against him. Xie Lian stared daggers at his bodyguard, whose brown eyes were wider than dinner plates. His tone was incredibly icy. “You followed me and my husband around all day. You have made your opinions clear on how you feel about him, even if that was never your place to begin with. Perhaps I have been too lenient with you, as you are my friend. But first and foremost, you are my subordinate. You will listen to Yin Yu, you will respect Hua Cheng, and you will most certainly shut your mouth when I tell you. Is. That. clear?!”

Feng Xin looked like someone who just realized they were going to be decapitated seconds before any blade hit their throat. He didn’t dare glance at anyone else in the room except for the prince, whose amber eyes blazed like a rampaging forest fire. 

“Y-Yes, Your Highness. I apologize.” Feng Xin said, bowing his head. 

“Good. Apologize to the others, then Yin Yu can decide what to do with you for the night.” Xie Lian said. 

The bodyguard looked like he thought this prospect was a worse fate than death, and Xie Lian did not care in the slightest. Feng Xin took a breath before kowtowing on the floor at their feet. “I humbly request forgiveness. I was horribly out of line and will not allow this to happen again.” He said, sounding incredibly sincere.

Yin Yu had his arms crossed in front of his chest, his black eyes cold and void-like in appearance. Gaze flitting to his husband, who continued to hold him close, Xie Lian noticed those soft lips were pressed into a tight, impatient line. As the lord of the Ning Clan spoke, his voice was dangerously calm, but every word was sharper than a sword. 

“His Highness is merciful, so I will be as well this time. If anything like this happens again… Not even he will be able to save you from the consequences.” Hua Cheng said, and Xie Lian gripped his robes a little more tightly.

Yin Yu nodded curtly in agreement. Feng Xin waited until Hua Cheng permitted him to rise. He was then led out of the room for the second round this evening in less than one incense time. The door slammed shut once more, and Xie Lian huffed. He buried his face into his husband’s chest, closing his eyes to try to calm his racing heart. Large hands pet the back of his head comfortingly, and he sighed, fully accepting the affectionate gesture. 

“Gege looked so handsome telling him off like that…” Hua Cheng purred, kissing the top of his head. 

“San Lang!” Xie Lian cried as hot blush rose to his cheeks. 

It seemed he would never have a moment where Hua Cheng wasn’t teasing or loving on him. Xie Lian wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Chapter Text

— Xie Lian

Before he had become a scholar, He Xuan had initially been a thief, taking odd jobs from the occasional lord and or greedy merchant.

One day, He Xuan had been sent out to steal a precious heirloom from a successful merchant family. The patron claimed that it had been stolen generations ago from her family. Whether that was true or not, she had offered a very pretty sum in return, which He Xuan accepted eagerly.

Like any other one of these jobs, He Xuan set out as soon as the sun had set, the cover of night quickly shielding him from any prying eyes. However, what the hired thief didn’t expect to find as he climbed up the walls of the merchant’s large residence was to stumble into Shi Qingxuan’s bedroom, just as they were getting ready to retire for the night.

“Then, we froze. I was in my inner robes, he was dressed in all black, looking handsome and mysterious…” Shi Qingxuan crooned. “Then, he moved to grab me, but—”

“I did not. I tried to slit your throat.” He Xuan said flatly, shoving more food into his mouth. "Not my fault you didn't see the knife."

Xie Lian laughed nervously, trying desperately to find some lightness to this conversation. Anyone who had half a brain at least understood that Shi Qingxuan and He Xuan’s relationship was built on morbid pillars. Xie Lian wondered if they were in their right minds to be together, but he supposed that everyone was different. As long as they were happy…

Hua Cheng put a hand on the prince's knee, invisible from the couple that sat across from them at the large dining table. Xie Lian glanced at his husband, who seemed to tell him with a single look, not to worry. The prince's shoulders relaxed a little at that.

“Ming-xiong, who’s telling the story, hm?” Shi Qingxuan chided, flipping open their fan indignantly.

“Mhm.” He Xuan hummed, giving a vague roll of his dark eyes. Shi Qingxuan sighed.

“Anyways, we fought each other. The ruckus was enough to wake up my brother, who tore him off of me. Somehow, in the commotion, I convinced the two idiots not to kill each other,” Shi Qingxuan chuckled. “Ming-xiong came to live and work under me as a punishment, but…” They nudged their husband with their elbow.

“… Your optimistic attitude was nauseating, and the fact that you insisted on becoming friends with me was grueling to say the least.” He Xuan grumbled. “Your entire existence was smothering.”

“Ming-xiong! You’re being so mean, you said so many nice things!” Shi Qingxuan whined. “You said you enjoyed my company and that you wanted to stay.”

“ … Good luck getting them to believe you.” He Xuan said with a hint of a smile.

Xie Lian hummed inwardly, finally able to understand their little dynamic now. He pressed his lips together and stifled a chuckle at the ridiculous game of affection.

“Not too hard considering you’re married and sitting at my dinner table.” Hua Cheng countered with a smirk.

Xie Lian finally laughed at that. “San Lang, don’t ruin their fun.”

“You’re not the only one I enjoy messing with, gege. I just especially enjoy it with you.” Hua Cheng replied, leaning his head on his hand, smirking up at him with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Xie Lian flushed and brought his white sleeve up to his face, nudging Hua Cheng’s shoulder with a flat palm. Hua Cheng and Shi Qingxuan chuckled, while He Xuan finished what was on his plate before anyone else had even taken a few bites.

As they had been cleaning up post-intimacy, Xie Lian was reminded of the commitment he had made to Shi Qingxuan by a very reluctant knock at the door. Yin Yu apologized profusely, but let them know that their guests had been waiting at the table for about an incense time already.

Xie Lian had never gotten dressed so quickly.

Hua Cheng had assured him that it would be alright, and that he had once entertained He Xuan and the scholar's spouse with blood all over his robes. How this was supposed to make him feel better, Xie Lian had no idea.

The only thing the prince could hope for as they walked into the dining room was that it wasn't too obvious what had been keeping him and his husband.

"Well? Now that I've told our story, tell us yours!" Shi Qingxuan said, leaning forward in interest. "How did you two meet?"

"Ah, I… Well, we were betrothed as children." Xie Lian said. "Not much surprise with our meeting."

"Really, gege? You weren't surprised at all when we met for the first time?" Hua Cheng asked, raising an eyebrow.

As those mismatched eyes twinkled, Xie Lian knew that his husband was simply teasing. The prince smiled and said, "It made me realize that all those stories were simply just that— stories. And that perhaps, Lord Crimson Rain, Hua Cheng, wasn't all that scary."

Hua Cheng grinned, looking incredibly pleased, with an air of wicked mischievousness that always seemed to follow him. Warmth pooled in the base of Xie Lian's stomach, and he fought down a shiver.

"Some of those tales are true." He Xuan said, swallowing. "Your San Lang is quite vicious, unless he's talking to Your Highness, it seems."

"If that's the case…" Xie Lian mused, glancing at his husband coyly. "Then they must have deserved it."

Hua Cheng laughed.

✧

— Hua Cheng

As soon as He Xuan and his spouse had left, Xie Lian essentially pounced him. Stumbling in the hallway, the two men could hardly keep their lips parted for more than a second to breathe or tumble around a corner.

Hua Cheng had been feeling awful as of late, wondering if he was truly good enough for His Highness. If he were a good husband, rather than a spouse or… anything else.

Of course, Xie Lian had nothing but the perfect words for him, reassuring him that he saw him as he was meant to be seen.

It was overwhelming how much Hua Cheng loved Xie Lian. His heart would ache and squeeze every time he thought about him. Each time Hua Cheng's mind would inevitably wander to the ways they expressed their intimacy— even just imagining the kisses they shared— he would get the same pleasurable twist in his stomach.

Stumbling to the bedroom, the door was promptly shut, and robes were practically ripped from their bodies, unceremoniously billowing to the floor. Feeling warm skin against his that usually felt cool to the touch, Hua Cheng gasped. He was eager to feel Xie Lian against his once more— regardless of the circumstances, the lord couldn't get enough of it.

Tasting tongues, tugging strands of hair, soft and heady moans between shared breaths. Sultry, slick, and sticky— three things that Hua Cheng would, in any other context, find disgusting. With sex with His Highness, they were more than welcome.

They were wanted— needed.

"Gege— Gege—!" Hua Cheng cried as he was pinned to the mattress, the sheets a complete mess from their fervent movements. His hair wasn't much better— loose, wild, inky strands sticking to the dip of his sweat-slicked spine and the rest fanning out across the bed.

Somehow, even as Hua Cheng was in this position— legs spread, hips up, and every inch of underlife exposed— Xie Lian found a way to make him feel safely vulnerable and still safely, confidently himself.

"Ah— San Lang— Are you alright? Hah—" Xie Lian panted, the tips of his loose, dark hair tickling the lord's skin as they swayed mid-air.

The prince's grip on Hua Cheng's waist was incredibly firm, but light enough that it was uncomfortable with each thrust. His hips would jostle a little each time, which was less than ideal.

To be crushed in His Highness's grip was to be loved, and Hua Cheng was a greedy, greedy man.

The lord whined, shifting his hips desperately. "H-Hold me tighter, I can't— Uhn—! Gege! FUCK—!"Hua Cheng sobbed as Xie Lian shifted the position of his hips, fulfilling his desperate request.

With no time to prepare, Hua Cheng was subjected to the eager, rough pace the prince always seemed to favor when he topped. One of which the lord couldn't get enough of.

Xie Lian's perfect, throbbing cock slammed against a spot that the lord had hardly explored on his own. It was exhilarating— overwhelming. Hua Cheng sobbed open-mouthed into the bed, his spit quickly dampening the sheets.

Hua Cheng wouldn't last like this— he couldn't. Each time Xie Lian insisted on pulling almost all the way out and then shoving himself back in with a smack, it sent the lord shooting toward the heavens, then back down to their chambers where they were helplessly intertwined.

Vision blurry with overwhelmed tears, Hua Cheng's cheeks were hot with flush. The shock that spread down his legs and through his torso each time firm, but soft flesh met the incredibly sensitive tip of the swollen, slick apex of his thighs was nearly enough to make him scream into the sheets.

"San Lang… Husband…" Xie Lian muttered breathlessly in between his own delicious moans. "I need to be able to hear you properly…"

Before Hua Cheng could reply, Xie Lian gripped a clump of his inky hair on his scalp and jerked backward. "AH—!"

Both Hua Cheng's back and neck were forced into perfect, pliant curves. His jaw was forced to slacken, and Xie Lian leaned forward. Hua Cheng shivered as the prince's strands of hair brushed against his waist and shoulders. Since his mouth was gaping, an embarrassing whine that bubbled from his throat had nowhere to hide.

"San Lang's voice is just as handsome as the rest of him. Don't you think I should be able to hear it?" Xie Lian cooed, licking the shell of the lord's ear.

"Huuuhhnn…" Hua Cheng managed, unable to articulate anything more, even if he wanted to.

"That's it. Keep singing for your prince, San Lang." Xie Lian praised gently, planting a feathery kiss on the nape of Hua Cheng's neck before straightening up again.

Just as before, Hua Cheng hardly had any time to prepare before he was subjected to that beautiful, merciless rhythm.

By the time Xie Lian was finished, the lord had lost count for himself. All he knew was that he was a half-conscious mess, covered with slick and spend.

What a beautiful thing to be.

✧

The next morning, the two were messily tangled in each other’s arms. Golden sunbeams streamed through the window and onto the dark wood floors, creating quite a serene glow about the room.

Hua Cheng woke first— not a common occurrence. Gazing groggily at his husband, who was still deeply asleep, he smiled softly.

They had quite the night, though one of many. Hua Cheng sighed and sat up, not needing to look in a mirror to know how messy his hair was from the night’s activities. He yawned and stretched, remembering the heated moments fondly.

Seeing how tuckered out the man in question was, the lord couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride. This was especially since Xie Lian had been so anxious recently— those meddling attendants certainly hadn’t helped matters.

Hua Cheng set his jaw and groaned quietly in annoyance. The lord could practically see that stupid bodyguard flipping through his study, quickly pulling out drawers and flying through the documents at top speed. There were so many things wrong with this picture. Had he been intentionally trying to find dirt on him?

If they weren't so important to His Highness, Hua Cheng would've killed them long ago.

Quickly getting dressed, Hua Cheng strode to the door and flung it open. Not being able to stop himself, he glanced back at his beloved once more. The lord's heart melted at the sight of the still-sleeping prince.

Silky, dark hair fanned across the crimson sheets, petal-like lips slightly parted— Xie Lian was the epitome of complete peace.

Hua Cheng would do everything and anything in his power to make sure that this peace was protected. If he could avoid His Highness being worried about anything ever again, he would.

The lord stepped out of the room and shut the door, leaning against it and sighing. With the information that He Xuan had been looking into, maintaining this domestic peace he and the prince had created together would be difficult— he knew this.

In the meantime, Hua Cheng would do his best to make sure that their journey to the clan archives would go smoothly. Even if he had an inkling of what they might find there, he wasn't sure how ready the prince was.

✧

When Hua Cheng returned from his meeting with He Xuan and Yin Yu, it was nearly midday, and he was exhausted.

The lord hadn't heard His Highness request his presence, nor had he seen him come looking for him. It almost worried him. Granted, if the prince was still in bed, Hua Cheng would be more than happy to be lazy with him before their potentially grim errand.

The lord opened the door slowly and froze. Blessed with the most gorgeous sight, his eyes widened. Scalding heat rose to his cheeks and shot down to his groin.

Xie Lian’s slender fingers were wrapped firmly around his very hard cock, his rhythm incredibly quick— he looked close. Red lips were parted as the prince panted quietly, gentle brows knitted in heated focus.

Hua Cheng couldn't help but bite his bottom lip as Xie Lian ran his thumb over the tip, which was a deep, throbbing red. Sweat beaded tantalizingly on the prince's forehead, soft blush dusting his cheeks and the tip of his nose.

Hua Cheng might've been exhausted a moment ago, yet because of the sight before him, nothing could stop the exhilarating fire that rushed through his veins.

The soft sound of the door shutting was enough to get his husband’s attention. Those soft, amber eyes snapped open and locked on Hua Cheng, his hand freezing in place.

“S-San Lang– I—” Xie Lian stammered, swiftly gripping the crimson sheets to cover the lower half of his body.

Hua Cheng was incredibly amused. No matter how many obscene things they did together, his husband would always somehow find a way to be shy about it.

Hua Cheng leisurely strode across the room to the bed, a mischievous smirk spread across his face. As the lord leaned his weight onto the mattress, Xie Lian squirmed away from him, knowing the red-clad man was up to no good. Hua Cheng’s hand shot forward with incredible speed, gently gripping his husband’s wrist.

“Gege thinks he can get away so easily?” Hua Cheng teased, not able to fight down a grin. "Even when he was so clearly caught in the act?"

“N-No—! I just—!” Xie Lian started.

“This one has nothing but good intentions,” Hua Cheng purred, planting a gentle kiss on the back of his husband’s hand. “Gege is clearly in quite a bit of need.”

Xie Lian bit his lip and averted his gaze shyly. Hua Cheng grinned and pulled his husband closer, pressing sweet, slow kisses all over his face.

“San Lang…” Xie Lian whined softly.

"Let this husband take care of you.” Hua Cheng said. He licked Xie Lian’s jaw slowly, earning a quiet sigh.

“So insincere…” Xie Lian huffed, relenting.

As much as his husband seemed to pout, his actions proved he felt otherwise as he leaned his head back to allow Hua Cheng more access to his neck. The lord smiled, taking a long lick and tasting that smooth skin, all of which belonged to him.

The lord took his time pleasuring his husband, bodies intertwined in a hot embrace much like the night before. As much as this relaxed him, the tug of the errand kept nagging from every corner of his mind.

A while later, arms snaked their way around Hua Cheng’s slender waist as he sat on the bed. Xie Lian nuzzled the nape of his neck, giving it a small peck. The lord hummed contentedly at the affection.

“San Lang seems distracted…” Xie Lian whispered, tracing the tips of his fingers along the edges of the lord’s crimson robes.

“His Highness is very observant.” Hua Cheng said as he adjusted his belt. "I have somewhere I need to go."

"Oh…" Xie Lian said, leaning further into the lord's back as if to keep him there. Then, his voice brightened a little, and he asked: "San Lang, can I accompany you?"

Hua Cheng smiled.

✧

— Xie Lian

It had been a long time since Xie Lian had gone on horseback anywhere. He had forgotten the thrill of this mode of travel as crisp, spring winds whipped through his hair— he loved it.

Hua Cheng rode in front of him on a mare whiter than fresh salt. Inky hair tied in a tall ponytail that whipped behind him, Hua Cheng had opted for tight, black robes versus his usual crimson ones.

Though Xie Lian could not see his face just now, he couldn’t help but smile to himself. This was nearly exactly what Hua Cheng had worn when he had come to "rescue" him.

How bewitchingly handsome his husband was that he could pull off anything he chose to wear. The number of times that Xie Lian had been excited at a simple glance of that long, pretty neck was too embarrassing to admit, even to himself.

Xie Lian was saddled on a shining black mare, his robes the color of ivory, and a band of a similar shade pulled up to his eyes to cover the lower half of his face. The two might have looked like cultivators to those unaware of their identities.

Their stark contrasts created quite the image against the wide, grassy plains that they traversed. The image was almost like that from a very distant dream.

The clan archives took a while to get to, but Xie Lian wouldn't replace this time he had spent with his husband for the world. When they finally slowed down, both their horses were completely exhausted. They tied them up nearby to graze while they took care of their business.

“San Lang, you still haven’t told me why we’re here.” Xie Lian scolded playfully, poking his arm as his husband removed his black leather riding gloves.

Hua Cheng gazed at him with those gorgeous, mismatched eyes. When his husband’s eyes didn’t have that familiar twinkle, Xie Lian felt a flash of nervousness.

“You’ll see,” Hua Cheng replied, his tone very smooth despite his demeanor.

Xie Lian furrowed his brow in curiosity. He had been thinking that his husband just had a surprise for him, but with all of the secrecy, face coverings, and strange way Hua Cheng was acting, he was starting to really doubt that theory.

Hua Cheng wasn’t that good at keeping things from him. If Xie Lian had to be honest, the lord was rather bad at it, especially when probed directly.

Hua Cheng led him to a circular piece of stone in the middle of the tall grass. It had been carved some time ago, and the lines had softened from the weather over the years. Still, the clan symbols were apparent, even if the rest of the design was worn.

Hua Cheng stepped forward, placing something in the middle of the circle before stepping back to Xie Lian’s side. The circle slowly rolled away with a heavy scrape against the earth, revealing a dark tunnel that burrowed very deep. The sight was ominous, especially as stone steps slid out from the sides down into it.

“Gege. Are you ready?” Hua Cheng asked, holding his hand out to him.

Xie Lian nodded and took his hand, allowing himself to be led down into the tunnel.

As they continued down into the ground, the humid air became much cooler, and the moisture almost made it hard to breathe. The scent of wet soil filled Xie Lian’s nose, and it would have been comforting had it not been so dark.

The only thing reminding him that he wasn't alone was the gentle grasp of his husband's hand, which he was incredibly grateful for.

Once they came to the bottom of the spiraling staircase, Xie Lian noticed that the stone ground had about an inch of water, some of which seeped into his boots. He figured this might have been a large well at some point, and would have asked about it, but it was difficult to break the silence now that they were down here.

Three different rows of tunnels shot off in different directions along the curved wall. Xie Lian wrapped his arm around Hua Cheng’s and pulled him close, without thinking. The prince felt embarrassment simmering inside him— why was he being so clingy all of a sudden? Yet, the faint scent of jasmine incense was able to cut through some of the dank air, which was a relief.

"It's okay, gege. Don't be scared," Hua Cheng whispered.

"I'm not. I just want to make sure you're okay," Xie Lian said.

Thankfully, choosing not to tease, Hua Cheng led him down the row in the center, walking with some urgency in his pace.

The torchlight along the walls cast long, flickering shadows throughout the tunnel. A faint drip, drip sound echoed as they walked, footsteps disturbing the low water that seemed to constantly be on the floors.

Finally reaching the end of the corridor, Xie Lian gazed up at a set of large double doors that had the same symbol carved into the center that had been on the stone above ground.

Hua Cheng stepped forward, placed a free hand on one of the huge knobs, and pushed.

Suddenly, there was a crack, then a thundering sound as the doors swung inward. Lights slowly began to illuminate the room, and Xie Lian squinted as his eyes adjusted.

It was a very, very large library. Shelves as tall as the ceiling that were littered with glowing crystals, they were also loaded down with books and scrolls. Some were nearly falling apart, but most were in near-pristine condition— at least from afar.

"San Lang…" Xie Lian muttered.

"I wish I could show you around more, gege. But we're looking for something," Hua Cheng said quietly. "And we need to find it before someone else does."

Xie Lian's stomach twinged. Just what exactly was going on?

Suddenly, from the darkness, a familiar figure appeared before them. Xie Lian nearly jumped in front of Hua Cheng to protect him, but his husband simply put his hand atop his to steady his nerves.

"Scholar He," Hua Cheng greeted.

"My lord," He Xuan replied.

They bowed to each other, and so Xie Lian felt like he should as well, following his husband's lead. Why were they acting like they didn't know each other?

Giving Hua Cheng a perplexed look, Xie Lian pursed his lips. His husband didn't look at him.

"How may I assist you today?" He Xuan asked, not looking at Xie Lian either.

"We're looking for anything on the kingdom of Xianle," Hua Cheng said. "And I mean anything."

Xie Lian's stomach practically dropped to the floor, did a barrel roll, and then reinserted itself back into his body. What was happening?!

"Of course," He Xuan said, noncommittally. "Follow me."

With that, the man in black began to walk down one of the many aisles of shelves, and Hua Cheng led Xie Lian behind him.

"San Lang, what—" Xie Lian started, whispering.

"In a moment, gege. Don't worry," Hua Cheng replied, matching his volume.

Continuing in silence, Xie Lian chewed the inside of his lip. Hua Cheng never interrupted him unless he was saying something ridiculous, or unless he wanted to show him something. Never like this.

So, the prince thought it was in his best interest to stay quiet, even if it annoyed him that he didn't know what was going on. The mention of Xianle really hadn't helped.

Reaching a shelf far in the back, He Xuan stopped and motioned to a very, very dusty pile of scrolls. "Here's everything we have," he said, nodding. Stepping past them both, Xie Lian could've sworn he whispered, 'good luck', to Hua Cheng.

Leading him to the shelf, Hua Cheng finally relented in his grasp of the prince to grab all of the scrolls, which weren't many. At most, there were five or six.

"Come on, gege," Hua Cheng said, leading him over to a table in the corner with a few lamps powered by those glowing crystals.

Sitting down at the table, the lord spread out their materials and grasped one. Xie Lian sat down and watched as Hua Cheng began to skim the scroll next to him in silence.

"San Lang?" Xie Lian whispered.

Hua Cheng glanced at Xie Lian. He was clearly nervous, but was trying to hide it as best he could. "Yes?"

"You said you would explain yourself once we got here. Well— we're here," Xie Lian said, trying to keep as much indignance out of his voice as he could.

Hua Cheng wilted a little. "My apologies, gege. We… We're here because I want to know what really happened to Xianle. Something about… Everyone's fate just doesn't seem right. … I also wanted you to be able to learn more."

Hua Cheng was purposefully avoiding mentioning that Xie Lian was going to be learning about what happened to his now-dead kingdom. That, along with skirting around using 'your highness', as well as mentioning Qi Rong, was incredibly telling.

Xie Lian nodded— of course, his husband was only trying to help him. "Alright, let's get to it then. What are we looking for?"

"Not sure. Just… Something that might explain why the fall happened in the first place. Flowers were mentioned numerous times, though no specifics. Additionally, I haven't been able to find anything in my personal library."

"So you had He— I mean… Someone look into it?" Xie Lian asked. The prince wasn't sure if he should use the scholar's name, especially since the two had been so strange around each other moments before.

Hua Cheng nodded. "Mm."

Xie Lian glanced at the scrolls and sighed. Picking one up, he gently dusted it off and opened it.

He couldn't deny that some part of him— actually, most of him— was pretty nervous about learning things about Xianle. Xie Lian knew there would likely be things he wouldn't like, and that if what Jun Wu had said were lies or half-truths, then the history that was written was likely that as well. Additionally, there was only so much he could weed out from his cousin, and sometimes Xie Lian wasn't sure that was all too reliable, either.

Nevertheless, Xie Lian was determined to help his husband and learn about what had happened to Qi Rong, at the very least.

Hours passed, and the two had pored over several of the scrolls, reading and re-reading, trying to find something, anything detailing what had happened. As Xie Lian had predicted, there wasn't much.

"Uggghhhnnn…" Xie Lian groaned, leaning his head on the desk.

Hua Cheng's hand came to rest on his back, right between his shoulder blades. "I know."

"This is going nowhere," Xie Lian sighed.

"Then… Let's take a break, perhaps. There has to be something that we might be missing," Hua Cheng said, determinedly.

Xie Lian nodded and stood. Suddenly, as he lifted the scroll to roll it up, he froze.

"… Gege?"

To normal light, the scroll seemed just like any other scroll. It detailed the fall of Xianle, what tyrants the royalty were, and everything else Xie Lian already knew from his education.

What wasn't normal, was that as Xie Lian had held the scroll in front of the lamp, something— part of an image— had been made visible.

"San Lang— Look," Xie Lian whispered, pointing to the part of the image. Hua Cheng's mismatched eyes widened, and his lips parted in surprise.

"… Gege, you're a genius."

They puzzled together a handful of the scrolls in front of a light source revealed a large image of a dazzling flower, with a phrase at the bottom.

He Xuan had gotten them a private study room and helped them organize it, while remaining neutral and cold as he had before. Yet, Xie Lian caught a glimpse of an excited shimmer in those dark eyes— He Xuan was likely in on this.

"Body in the abyss… heart in paradise," Xie Lian read, smiling. "What do you think it means, San Lang?"

"Not sure," Hua Cheng said, rubbing his chin with his thumb thoughtfully. "Could be a riddle of some kind. Maybe a hint to a location?"

Xie Lian hummed. "I'm thinking more of the last one. Maybe it's for something in the archive."

"That would be lucky. I'll go ask He Xuan," Hua Cheng said. "I'll be back, gege."

Hua Cheng gave Xie Lian a light kiss on the forehead, then left the room, shutting the door behind him.

Leaning against the table, Xie Lian tapped his foot against the stone floor in thought. If it were a location, then it would make sense if it might be where the kingdom of Xianle used to be. Or, it could be in a completely different place.

If it were a riddle, then Xie Lian had no idea where to begin. Perhaps a state of mind? Maybe a key to where this flower grew?

Perhaps he would start there, looking for information on the flower that was depicted here. Xie Lian sighed, went to the door, and slid it open, searching for where that section might be. Just as he was about to turn the corner, he bumped into someone.

Scrolls and books fell to the floor, and Xie Lian's eyes widened. Glancing up, it was someone he didn't recognize, but they were dressed in the same black robes that He Xuan was.

"Oh goodness, I'm so sorry," Xie Lian said, bowing immediately. "I was looking for a book and got distracted."

The scholar huffed. "It's alright," they said. Xie Lian bent down and helped them gather up some of the scrolls. "What were you looking for anyway?"

"Something on a specific flower. It's white and shaped like a trumpet, I think?" Xie Lian said, handing the last of the scrolls to them.

Looking him up and down, their gaze seemed to soften after a moment. "Well, it seems you're lucky to have bumped into me."

Xie Lian raised his eyebrows. They handed him a book with a flower that was nearly identical to the one that he had seen on the scrolls!

"Hopefully, this helps. Haven't read it though, so maybe it's nothing. Watch where you're going next time," They said, disappearing around the corner.

Xie Lian clutched the book, thankful that his luck had somehow turned with this. He might actually get to know what happened— he wasn't sure if that excited him, or terrified him. Maybe both.

When the prince returned to the study room, Hua Cheng was already sitting at the table, staring intently at the image.

"San Lang," Xie Lian said.

Hua Cheng glanced over, standing. "Gege, where did you run off to?"

"I found something that might help. Haven't opened it, and neither had the scholar I bumped into." Xie Lian said, sitting down at the table.

Flipping open the book, Xie Lian realized it was a journal. "Huh…"

"Interesting… Shall we read it together?" Hua Cheng asked.

Xie Lian picked up the book, and he began to read alongside his husband.

✧

— In the Past

The Wuyong heir had backed Xie Xiaozhen against the cold stone wall of the tearoom, slamming his fist against it and just narrowly missing the side of the crown prince’s head.

“What could that rat possibly have that I don’t?!” Jun Wu spat.

Cold stone pressed against Xie Xiaozhen’s back, his bones quickly beginning to ache at the sudden temperature change. His gaze flicked up to Jun Wu, his amber eyes blazing as he stood his ground.

“I already told you, A-Jun, stop calling them that! They’re an imperial general, and you will address them as such!” Xie Xiaozhen argued, unable to hide the fearful waver in his voice.

The crown prince still used an endearing term for Jun Wu, simply out of respect for how long they had known each other. He had hoped this would ease some of the tension, but it only seemed to make things worse.

Jun Wu and Xie Xiaozhen had been friends since they were children. They were only able to meet in person every once in a while, when festivals and large banquets would take place.

Years ago, the lord’s son begged his father to arrange an official courtship with Xie Xiaozhen, the crown prince of Xianle, the only heir to the throne. The more time spent together, Xie Xiaozhen came to love Jun Wu as a brother. Jun Wu, on the other hand, wanted something else.

“Tch. Might as well be.” Jun Wu scoffed. He waved his free hand above his head in a flourish, his fist remaining firmly planted on the wall.

Xie Xiaozhen balled his fists, looking down and sighing sharply. Jun Wu had a tendency to get pouty when he didn’t get his way, which he had initially found endearing. This aggressive temper tantrum, on the other hand? Not so much.

“You make a fool of yourself. Liu Aibing is dear to me, and there is nothing you can do, nor say, that will change my mind on that.” Xie Xiaozhen said, his voice quiet but steadfast.

That pause that felt eternal. Like a taut rope, the tension could be snapped at a moment’s notice. Xie Xiaozhen hardly dared to breathe.

Suddenly, the noble before him seemed to shake ever so slightly. The prince glanced up, his eyes widening in surprise.

“Did my words of affection or my gifts not please you enough? Did they mean nothing to you?” Jun Wu muttered, his voice breaking.

Xie Xiaozhen was sure that he had been shaking due to rage— now he wasn’t so sure. The corners of his eyes were red, threatening to spill tears at any moment. The prince lifted his slender hand and placed it on his shoulder in comfort.

“That’s not it…” Xie Xiaozhen said, his voice softened.

“Then what? Must I prove myself through grandiose acts of service? Like that thing?” Jun Wu asked, his dark eyes icy.

In a flash, that firmly placed fist was wrapped around Xie Xiaozhen’s wrist in a death grip. Lift and slam.

Crack.

Searing shock traveled up his arm and infiltrated his entire body before he could even process what had just happened. A gasping, guttural noise erupted from his throat, hardly able to muster the energy to scream.

Xie Xiaozhen had a rare chronic illness that showed up in the family every few generations, which had made the state preceptor very concerned about his ability to rule a kingdom. No matter how hard the prince had tried in the past, he was never able to compare to even many of the adolescents who enlisted in the army. Compared to the tall warrior that pinned him, he was now completely susceptible to any attack.

As he was held in place and the searing pain spread down his arm, tears streamed down his cheeks. He gritted his teeth, and his lungs burned, his head spinning too much to realize that he could reach for the golden dagger that was secured to his waist to defend himself.

“A-Jun, please… understand…” Xie Xiaozhen begged, his voice barely above a whisper as he pushed the small amount of air from his lungs. He used the moniker as a last throwaway attempt to get Jun Wu to back off.

The noble glowered, and his dark gray eyes gleamed. “You will learn to love me. … I can give you an act of service that you will never forget.” Jun Wu said, his voice low.

Xie Xiaozhen’s eyes widened in disgust and horror. Suddenly, lips were on lips. A choked cry was stifled as iron filled the prince’s mouth. What was he doing?!

Nobody had ever dared treat him like this in his entire life. He tried to push him back with his free arm, but nothing seemed to work. Jun Wu simply pinned that other wrist on top of the broken one, agony coursing through Xie Xiaozhen’s entire body. He finally let out a muffled scream.

The crown prince flailed, kicking and thrashing wildly despite the pain. His chest burned— he had never felt so desperate to get away from someone before. Cries of pain and fear were muffled by the horrible kisses and touches, hot tears streaming down his cheeks in desperate waves.

Jun Wu took his free hand and gripped his white robes, completely tearing one side to shreds in one yank. The crown prince continued to struggle and fight as his attacker’s fingers caressed a smooth thigh.

Choking on his sobs, the prince somehow blamed himself. Why had he asked the guards to leave them alone? Why had he ever trusted this person? Was he really that stupid?

Before the heir of Wuyong could do any more disgusting things, the doors to the tearoom burst open with a slam.

“Your Highness!”

Several guards immediately seized Jun Wu by the shoulders, releasing Xie Xiaozhen from that horrible grasp. Xie Xiaozhen collapsed to the floor and promptly screamed as he tried to catch himself, momentarily forgetting about his broken wrist. Sobbing, he tried desperately to find some way to cover himself in his exposed state, as much as it hurt to move.

He didn’t need to feel more humiliation than he had already experienced.

Glancing at the mess of a man in front of him, Jun Wu’s face was red with rage, and his eyes gleamed. Normally, if only two guards had grabbed him, he would have easily been able to fight them off, but there were two too many. As it was, the noble looked as if he was completely out of his mind, white robes disheveled and several dark hairs wisping out of place.

Just then, a young general rushed into the room and fell to their knees at the crown prince’s side. They immediately removed their cape and wrapped it around his shaking frame to save his dignity. Xie Xiaozhen flinched at the touch at first, but then looked up, his bloodshot eyes softening at the sight.

Liu Aibing was of noble descent, but distant enough for the relations not to do many favors on their own. However, they had made quite a name for themself in the army and had quickly climbed the ranks to imperial general. Liu Aibing had led their armies to victory several times over and had won the attention of the king of Xianle, as well as caught the eye of the crown prince.

Xie Xiaozhen’s fiancé was a good-natured person, their features sharp and defined. Their eyes and hair were blacker than the night sky, and their skin resembled the golden sands of the Gobi Desert. Their cheeks were only slightly dotted with freckles from being on the battlefield— not too much, not too little.

“Your Highness… Has he done anything to you?” Liu Aibing asked quietly so that the others could not hear. Their gentle brows furrowed slightly with concern.

Their voice was somehow gentle and raspy at the same time. It had become the most comforting sound in the world to the prince.

“He… attacked me, but wasn’t… successful…” Xie Xiaozhen replied shakily, not being able to describe the full extent of the crime that Jun Wu had clearly wanted to commit.

More hot tears slid down his cheeks at the mere thought of what could have happened had his beloved not stormed in with reinforcements. He choked down a sob, and Liu Aibing exhaled through their nose, nodding once in understanding.

They would not make him explain anymore.

They waved their hand and several attendants ran into the room, rushing to the crown prince. As they turned to face Jun Wu, their expression was the complete opposite of the one they used with the crown prince. Eyes blazed with a cruel iciness that conveyed the utmost loathing and disgust.

Jun Wu’s teeth were bared, and his eyes gleamed viciously, like an uncontrollable beast.

Liu Aibing stepped forward, and Jun Wu tried to lunge, but it was of no use while being restrained by four guards at once. “You want to say something? Then go ahead, pig.” Jun Wu snarled, bearing his teeth.

Liu Aibing raised their eyebrows. “You are certainly one to talk, especially after that spectacle. … You know the consequences.” Liu Aibing said. Their tone remained frighteningly even, despite the suppressed rage glimmering in their eyes. “Do you really think of yourself as immune to such things, I wonder?”

Jun Wu struggled, trying to glance behind the imperial general at the crown prince once more, but the young person would lean their body to block his view no matter how much he strained. Liu Aibing sighed in exasperation.

“... You are hopeless.” Liu Aibing sighed, flicking their chin upward at the men holding him down. “Detain him until His Majesty decides what to do.”

The guards dragged the lord’s son out of the room as he struggled and yelled malicious curses at the crown prince and his fiancé. Liu Aibing turned and crouched in front of their beloved once more. Attendants had quickly wrapped the prince’s wrist, but Xie Xiaozhen knew that this would require more than a simple wrap.

“May I carry you?” Liu Aibing asked, their tone gentle once more. “I know you don’t like it very much, but you’re injured.”

Xie Xiaozhen hesitated. The adrenaline and fear had twisted his very soul to the brink of tearing, never mind how much this broke his heart. However, Liu Aibing gazed at him with only love, with the utmost concern and care.

“…They would never do something like that,” Xie Xiaozhen reassured himself.

As terrified as the crown prince was, he sighed and nodded after a moment. The imperial general lifted their beloved into their arms, careful not to disturb his wrist as much as possible. They carried him to the palace infirmary, attendants quickly following behind them.

✧

This was the last time Jun Wu saw Xie Xiaozhen before the crazed fires engulfed Xianle, destroying the most prosperous kingdom in hundreds of years.

Or at least… That's what it seemed like from this diary they had come across.

Xie Lian felt like he wanted to vomit. He was so confused and disoriented. If Jun Wu was trying to get with his grandfather, shouldn't he be much older than he appeared?

The man only looked to be about fifty. Yet this source would claim he was well over that.

"… Gege?"

That low, smooth voice called him from his thoughts, and Xie Lian pressed his lips together to stifle a strangled noise.

Too many things were falling into place at once. Xie Lian was overwhelmed.

"Gege. Listen to me," Hua Cheng said.

Xie Lian's knees buckled, and a pair of slender, yet firm hands grasped him around his shoulders. Hua Cheng pulled him into his arms, and Xie Lian clung to him.

"I…" Xie Lian managed, not being able to get much further than that.

"… We're going home. Now," Hua Cheng said.

Then, the lord scooped Xie Lian into his arms and said a few other things, but the prince wasn't able to process any of it. Everything was too much.

Too much.

✧

— He Xuan

"USELESS!"

Scrolls and writing utensils crashed to the floor, black and red ink spilling across the tile in several near-perfect arcs. He Xuan stood his ground and was really only annoyed at one of the apprentice scholars cowering behind him.

Jun Wu whirled around, a few strands of hair out of place. "I expect the archives to keep something safe, and you're admitting to me just how incompetent you are."

"Not incompetent," He Xuan countered, glaring. "Just not under your complete control."

Jun Wu strode to He Xuan, standing tall and looking down his nose at him. He Xuan didn't move— he knew better than to be scared of someone like this.

"This is neutral ground," He Xuan said, not moving an inch. "You cannot exercise your will here like you would in your own clan. Do keep that in mind, my lord."

"Oh, I do," Jun Wu said, smiling dangerously. "What I think you're forgetting is that I know things that would ruin you."

For a moment, He Xuan hesitated. This had been the moment Jun Wu was looking for, however, and he jerked his hand toward him. The scholar was gripped by the collar of his robes, and he further steeled his expression, determined not to show any further openings.

"I know things that would get you everything you've ever wanted, too," Jun Wu said through gritted teeth. "So tell me… Where. Is. It."

"Like I said before, I don't know—" He Xuan choked as he was lifted from the ground. He heard the apprentice whimper on the floor behind him, but he couldn't warn them to get away. Nor would it do any good— Jun Wu would likely harm them.

"Bullshit," Jun Wu spat, and He Xuan grimaced as he struggled to take another pathetic gulp of air. "That journal was in here, and I know it was. Because I put it here after I uncovered it. So, unless you want your spouse to become a new skin of mine, like you've so graciously offered yourself as… Then I suggest you cooperate."

He Xuan's eyes widened. Fuck. Fuckfuckfuck—

Splatter.

Thud.