"I like you." Feng Shao confessed. His balled hands getting sweaty. And his eyes wandered anywhere but him. He couldn't keep it in anymore. He couldn't hide by the term friends anymore. Was it really being greedy to want him for himself? The moment they had left the mountains, he had an unsettling feeling, like Lui Xian was going to be taken away from him the moment they returned. Feng Shao didn't want that. He couldn't bear it. "I really like you," Feng Shao repeated again, his voice quieter now but carrying a weight of sincerity. He took a step closer to Lui Xian, his gaze unwavering, eyes filled with an intensity that made the air between them feel charged. Lui Xian, caught off guard, instinctively took a step back, his heart quickening. He glanced at Feng Shao, unsure of how to respond to the words that hung in the air, heavy with meaning. His mind raced, torn between his growing feelings and the unspoken secret flame in his heart. Overwhelming silence filled the small plac
Feng Shao treaded in the forest making sure that he wasn't noticed by the two men he was tailing. He watched them as they came to a halt in front of a massive tree, it's vibrant green foliage radiating vitality and energy, standing tall and brimming with life. Lui Xian stood just behind the Emperor, keeping a respectful distance while being careful not to step on his gown that swept the ground. The two started talking to each other, their voices drifting through the air, carried by the wind as if reaching out to the other man who drew closer to their spot. Feng Shao wanted to hear everything more clearly and so he shifted closer and quietly slipping behind the cover of a large, thick tree, its dense foliage providing the perfect shield to keep him out of sight. The moment the monarch came, Feng Shao had started to fear that he would take Lui Xian away. He couldn't let that happen. It hadn't been easy to put his feelings across to that fool and as matters stood he was likely to be
After a while grieving and immersing himself in the depths of his abyss, Feng Shao staggered back to the place he had once felt the enthusiasm to return to but now dreaded to see the sight of it. He had exhausted all his tears. His eyelids were swollen and made him look like a mess. He took each step towards the house, feeling as if his heart was being pricked by a sharp needle. When he arrived at the doorstep, a sense of unease crawled over him. The once familiar air of their rented house, now felt hollow. The door creaked slightly as he pushed it open. Inside, the room was almost unrecognizable. All of Lui Xian's belongings were nowhere to be found. His favorite books, which he loved to read, his clothes that were always hung by the window, his sack, and even his sword—the cause of it all—were all gone. His memories, everything, had vanished. There were no traces of the life he'd lived there, as though someone had taken great care to erase him from his life entirely. 'If o
"Xian!"Lui Xian welcomed Rushan who fell into his arms. It had been a long time since they last saw each other. Lui Xian could see some changes in him."Your highness, how are you?" Rushan didn't wait for Lui Xian to continue asking him questions. Instead, he hugged him once again smiling ear to ear. "I didn't think you would come here this early. Did you bring the one you wrote in the letter? I can't wait to see him. Where is he?"The prince was too excited and didn't put in mind the fidgeting behaviour Lui Xian was showing at the side.All he thought of was seeing the beautiful person the other wrote with such detail in their previous letter. When he received the news, Rushan had been extremely happy knowing that he was finally moving on.He knew it was hard to do so but it wasn't entirely impossible."Come on, show me the way to him." The prince demanded in an effort to drag him to a pathway that led to his new quarters. At the sides, various types of colourful flowers had bloome
Summer. When the sun shines brightly throughout the day. Heatwaves after heat waves hit the poor soils of the earth's crust. The trees bear fruits and the grasses lose colour. Rainfall tumble down night after night cleansing the red roofs of Wu Palace and the houses in the Capital. Lightning strikes like a sparkly ribbon being hurled by a brothel dancer. Thunder sounds as if the world is plugging down in pieces. Sometimes it is peaceful and other times it just gets worse. Nevertheless, the days move on longer than usual as each bide farewell never to be experienced again.Then Fall follows. Flooding the world with layers of leaves. The surroundings bit by bit loses their appearance. Flowers wither and green grasses die. Fewer animals appear for a new season is to be born. One with much more torment.That is Winter. Where the unpleasant weather is reinforced with much gloom. The skies are rid of the sun. It fills up with a thin blanket of fluffy white greyish clouds that remain up cover
Meanwhile far away from the palace, on a secluded Island, a vivid image of a man could be seen under a tree just close to the sea. He was sitting cross-legged with an instrument on his lap. The place he was at was very pleasant with a splendid breeze fanning at him. His robes fluttered about and his hair flared in a fashionable manner. His skin had gotten paler after many years of living on the island. He was all alone with only a small hut which he could call his own. The only companion he had, had left him when its time had come. After all, it was only a mere horse and lived quite long.Flowers swayed about emitting a sweet fragrance that brought comfort to him. His slender fingers were put on top of a zither which he would sometimes pluck at its strings producing a calming tune that travelled along the island alarming the small animals that had yet to wake. The weather was still chilly although the sun showed itself brimming with so much light. It touched the man with a soft glow
"Wow." Feng Shao exclaimed. He had just gotten out of the carriage and stepped on Wu Kingdom's soils. His eyes focused on his surroundings. They were sparkling with newfound light as if he was seeing the world for the first time. There was a smile on his face. He stood still for some time only turning and making a fool out of himself. He gained some attention to himself but he didn't mind. Everything at the moment was like a dream.He had last seen something like this when he was still a toddler. The memory is quite hazy for he doesn't remember if his former home was as close as to this. The part he was seeing at the moment was only a glimpse before the whole thing. However, the poor man was already intrigued.The Capital was so big and eye-catching, nothing could grab his attention from all the shiny and beautiful things around him. Although Feng Shao was wearing a veil, he could still clearly see the food stalls at the sides. The many people who passed by whilst cheering on top of th
Qin Su and Feng Shao got along quite well. As he promised, Feng Shao stopped by the tea house to play for the customers. And he would receive quite some money after each performance. His plans were going quite well.After living in the Capital for nearly two months, Feng Shao was now able to purchase a house and he did just that. He made it look simple so that it didn't attract people too much.He was still careful and was beginning to worry about his secret performances. Even though he didn't disclose his identity he felt that he could be exposed. For the Emperor and the General were merely several Zhangs away.After living in the Capital these few weeks he was able to get information on the monarch and his lover. Added to his advantage he could see the palace walls from the house he had bought. It never sat well with him knowing that his enemies were only separated by a wall less than an hour journey. He yearned to go there early however he knew nothing would go as he was planning.A
It has been a few months after their marriage, the couples were living quite a fruitful life. It was peaceful and the days were enjoyable. Feng Shao continued offering consultations to everyone in the valley, he also went into the forest and other places in search of various herbs. Sometimes he would stay at home and spend some quality time with his husband. The two would play around. Either just cuddling and flirting under a cherry tree or sparring with each other. Although everytime Lui Xian would go easy on him. Feng Shao on other occasions he would play a few pieces of his own songs on his zither. The others would listen with a smile. And the villagers would sometimes join them. Some would even beg him to learn. And Dong Dong would be amongst these people. Feeling proud of him. Rushan on the other hand, he would be occupied in his paintings. He loved investing most of his time playing with colours and smelling the ink on the parchment paper. He would sometimes add poems once he
Rushan beamed with happiness, altogether with excitement knowing that he had a chance to get him. He hurriedly got onto his feet and strode to the doors, eager to see him again. "Thank you brother." He waved at the emperor and disappeared before the monarch could say anything in return. He just watched his little brother with a small smile on his lips. He took a sip of his tea, savouring the exquisite taste. Once done, he looked into space as if he was in deep thought. The prince on the other hand was running around the palace path ways, heading to the training area where he assumed he would find him training. Some refreshing breeze graced his cheeks and made his hair dance along with the moving air. The scenery all around him appeared to be surrounded by beautiful cherry blossoms fluttering and emitting a mesmerizing scent. It did not take time for him to reach the training grounds. Various soldiers were busy clushing with wooden swords against one another. Others were engaged in
The following day, the prince got up as early before the rooster crowed. He had black circles around his eyes. His orbs looked very depressed. He was so unkempt. His personal servants were so shocked and embarrased. They prayed secretly in their hearts, begging the heavens so that there hasn't been a single soul that had seen this or else their prince's image would forever be ruined. They got flustered and started running about like headless chickens before the head maid calmed them down and ordered the others to bring warm water from the kitchen and also to prepare for his highness's clothes. In the mean time, she greeted the prince and politely urged him to go behind the screen where there was a beautiful pond with beautiful flowers scattered skillfully on top. She helped undress him and left him with pants on before guiding him into the pond.All the while Rushan was feeling tired and very sleepy. He listened to whatever she was saying so to get her to go away. He didn't want to d
"Well then Qi Han, come and inform me when he returns.""Yes, Your Highness." Qi Han answered respectfully. He watched as Rushan turned and walked away, going back to his palace. The little minister then turned back giving the room where Lanzhu lived a last glance before going on his way. On the other side, Rushan rested in his office and waited patiently, while thinking of things he was going to say to him. He had done this many times but he never seemed to get tired of it. Just the thought of telling him how he felt filled his tummy with butterflies. After a moment, then he felt sad for some reason. His mind having wild guesses like: 'Maybe the letter wasn't meant for me.'"Does he like someone else?""No, no. If that is the case I will never be able to accept it."The Night approached very fast and Rushan takes a nap and dreams of him again. He couldn't help but smile in his dream. Just the thought of being kissed by those juicy lips sent him into the clouds. He wished to never
Shiny charcoal hair flowed gently past his eyes, flattering with the wafting breeze making the scene look breathtaking. The rays highlighted the beautifully styled hair. The shimmering emerald robe he was wearing enhanced his graceful figure. And also the gentle but cold temperament.Rushan just couldn't get enough while looking at it. His light blue eyes wandered a lot more on the gorgeous designs, then the coarse and shiny hair before they shifted on to the good-looking face. The thirsty prince took in the unfamiliar distinct features. It appeared as if he was drinking an exquisite juice just by looking at them. Especially the white fair skin and scarlet eyes he had never seen before. It was rare to find anyone with this eye colour in Wu Kingdom. Even when he went on his voyages, he had never come across such a trait. This made his interest pick up.He couldn't move his eyes away, so he chose to look to his heart's content. His rosy full lips didn't escape his scrutiny as well. Rus
There he found an outlet for his troublesome woes. Lui Xian listened and felt amused by his dear friend's antics. He felt like he was watching himself when he had just realized that he had fallen for the monarch.But it was very different for his friend. He had never met the person at all. All he could hold onto was the emotional bond he had achieved through heartfelt words on an ordinary parchment paper. Lui Xian however, never judged his dear companion, for he knew how hard it was to be in a fruitless love. One had to hold onto the hope that perhaps one day he will see my love. One had to dream of a life together, longing and yearning to acquire their coveted wish. He watched as Rushan told him how eager he was to find the person who wrote to him. He had searched and searched everywhere in the Kingdom until he almost lost hope. That is until he stumbled upon a piece of writing when he had visited his Imperial brother. On that fateful day, the prince was low spirited and was in no
After the adventurous wedding night, Feng Shao woke up feeling sore all over. His body was littered with vivid love bites and scratch marks. His eyes were shining brightly knowing that he was now Lui Xian's husband. He looked down beside him to see Lui Xian still asleep with a set of his own marks on his chest. The white-haired male stretched his hand and grabbed a handful of his spouse's jet-black hair strands, feeling the soothing texture. His warm eyes landed on his glowing face which was being softened by the morning glow. When he had looked enough, Feng Shao leaned on him and stole a very quick kiss on his lips before getting off the bed and rushing to take a bath behind the screen. Behind the two meter white board decorated with magnificent scenic paintings, which was shielding him from prying gazes, some purple garments were hung in one corner. And there was a wooden tub situated in between the board and the wall. It was filled with cold water with rose petals floating on top a
"Ruo?...Ruo.." 'Where have I heard this name before?' Feng Shao contemplated in his mind. When he was still living in his hometown his father used to have a visitor with the name Ruo. Everytime on his visit this man would always bring him a sweet and would also throw him up in the air and and play with him. Now that he thought about it, it should be someone related to Lui Xian. Feng Shao told his lover everything he knew. The other only listened and also continued with his story. The two talked till morning. Dong Dong was the one who came over to them and cut their story short.The three regrouped with the others and accompanied Rushan to Wu Capital. Of course Feng Shao and Lui Xian bade goodbye to their friends and remained in the capital. Rushan and the others proceeded to enter the palace. He met his nephew and spent a week together with him. They played together, had the royal artist paint a painting of them. After all was done he promised his nephew to visit him again and then l
When they returned to the restaurant, everyone in their group could see a change in Feng Shao's mood. He had gotten more relaxed and back to normal. A smile couldn't leave his face. He was more sticky to Lui Xian. Whilst the others were sitting on the table, he was on his lover's lap being fed a spoon full of chicken stew and a sip of light wine. Rushan and Lanzhu had an idea of what had taken place a few years back in this town. They had also followed their friend and had witnessed everything that just happened. Seeing them happy also made them feel good.The group left the restaurant and booked a few rooms to spend the night. Feng Shao and Lui Xian took Dong Dong and made their way to their room. Dong Dong watched his Daddy crying and felt speechless. It was his first time seeing him like this. Unlike Lui Xian who had gotten used to this, for this little guy it was quite a shock. He couldn't find a reason as to what made him cry. He seemed to remember him letting down his third cup