Archive of Our Own

With the early morning sun shining in through the attic window of the Xie family manor also came the beginning of Xie Lian’s morning routine, beginning with getting dressed in the comfortable peasant garb he had long grown used to wearing, and making his way down to the kitchens as he tied his hair up on the way. He wasn’t allowed to cook, but he was expected to help-his cooking wasn’t edible, otherwise he’d be cooking, too.

“Good morning.” Xie Lian greeted the kitchen staff kindly as he entered, receiving noncommittal hums in response.

He didn’t blame them.

“Here, cut these.” The cook shoved a bunch of vegetables toward him as well as a chopping board with a knife, and left him to it while he did the cooking.

Xie Lian had enough practice by now to have everything cut well enough to the cook’s standard and do it quickly, so once it was all done, he left the kitchen to begin opening the curtains around the manor, letting the light of the day in.

Then came time to wake up his irritating cousin.

Qi Rong had been orphaned at a young age, and not wanting to leave him without any family, Xie Lian’s mother took him in as a courtesy to her sister. Growing up, Qi Rong had idolised Xie Lian, but that was no longer the case.

Xie Lian sucked in a breath, and released it before knocking twice.

“Fuck off!”

Oh. He was awake this time.

Xie Lian walked away, ignoring his cousin cussing him out yet again for no apparent reason in favour of going to wake his step father instead.

Jun Wu.

The man who he had once trusted with everything. He had been naive as a child. Having lost his father at the age of seven, his mother remarried a man she thought they both could trust.

Then she passed away from sudden illness, and when Jun Wu found out about the trust the Xie family fortune was locked behind, Xie Lian realised then that something foul was afoot.

That was when his treatment in the house began to change.

Xie Lian knocked on the tall imposing door, and waited.

“Come in.” Came the answer.

Xie Lian steeled his resolve and pushed open the door, walking straight in and over to the curtains. He opened them, stopping only when he heard the sharp tone of disapproval when Jun Wu called his name.

“Xie Lian.”

“…”

“No morning greeting?” Jun Wu oozed disappointment.

“Good morning.” Xie Lian greeted.

“Good morning?” Jun Wu raised his brow from where he sat in bed.

“Good morning, sir.”

“That wasn’t so hard now, was it?” Jun Wu smiled.

Xie Lian feigned ignorance with a smile. Then, he turned and left to set the dining table.

Once the dining table had been set, Xie Lian returned to the kitchens, where he ate his own pitiful breakfast, getting served what the rest of the household servants did. It was hardly enough to fill his stomach, but it was better than starving, so he didn’t complain.

“Xie Lian,” the house keeper approached him after he’d finished helping wash up, “Would you be a dear and go into town for me?”

“Of course. What do you need?” Xie Lian asked with a kind smile. He was always happy to help out the house keeper.

“I’ve written everything down on a list,” the old woman said, “I’m terribly sorry to bother you like this. Everyone said they were busy.”

“It’s no trouble at all. Besides, I’m probably the only one who can carry everything by myself.” Xie Lian added with a laugh.

“Be careful, and be back before dark.”

“I will be.”

Xie Lian made sure he had everything he needed before leaving the Xie manor. He wasn’t allowed use of carriages or horses, so he had to walk or catch a ride.

He walked along the road for a while, the tall maple trees towering above. He noticed a cart going past and called out.

“Excuse me! Do you mind if I catch a ride into town?”

The driver gestured for him to hop on.

“Thank you very much, sir.”

“It’s no issue,” he replied. “I hear the prince is supposed to be around town today.”

“Oh, really?” Xie Lian blinked, surprised.

“Really. Maybe you’ll get to see him.”

Xie Lian nearly laughed. With his luck? Not a chance.

It was a beautiful morning, perfect for enjoying the sun while he sat in the back of the carriage, and he did just that until they got into town, where Xie Lian jumped off of the back and thanked the driver yet again for the ride.

Then, he set off to find the items on his list, beginning with a number of groceries.

The market was always lively. He moved from one stall to another, purchasing each item on the list he’d been given, filling the bags he’d brought with him. He noted they also needed bags of flour, which he picked up last, carrying the bags over his shoulders while his bulging bags hung from both arms, one bag looking particularly fragile.

But with all of his shopping done, he could finally head back to the manor.

His heart ached.

He found the same cart from earlier going past, and was able to catch a ride going back.

“That’s a lot of shopping you have.”

Xie Lian jumped, startled. He looked up to see a youth clad in maple red lying back in the cart. He was dressed well, possibly from a local noble house. He had red pearls hanging from his ears, an almost dead give away of his status. Why he was riding in the back of a peasant’s cart was…befuddling.

“You scared me.” Xie Lian sighed.

“Sorry,” the teenager smiled, the hint of a sharp canine peering out. “I didn’t mean to.”

Xie Lian felt himself smile in return. “It’s alright.”

“Have you been shopping for a special occasion?” San Lang asked curiously.

“Ah…” Xie Lian lowered his eyes, “No, just running errands for the housekeeper.”

“The housekeeper? Why on earth are they getting you to run errands?”

Xie Lian laughed. “It’s the only thing I’m good for.”

The teen pouted. “Ridiculous.”

“You don’t even know me.” Xie Lian smiled, amused.

The teen mumbled something under his breath, but Xie Lian didn’t catch it.

“What’s your name?” He asked him.

“Call me San Lang.” The teen replied.

Xie Lian felt surprised, but smiled at him. “My name is Xie Lian. It’s a pleasure.”

San Lang smiled at him in response.

“So what’s a noble’s son doing in the back of a cart?” Xie Lian asked curiously.

San Lang shrugged. “I had a bit of a fight with my father, and got kicked out. I’m kind of just wandering at the moment.”

Xie Lian’s face fell. “You can stay with me if you want. Just stay out of the way of my step father, and it should be okay.”

“Are you sure it’s okay?” San Lang asked, suddenly looking concerned.

“Of course.” Xie Lian smiled again.

The cart came to a stop, letting Xie Lian know it was time to get off.

“Thank you for the ride, sir.”

“Always happy to help.”

Before Xie Lian could finish grabbing the bags of flour, San Lang reached over and grabbed them himself.

“Which way do we go, gege?”

“Oh, this way.”

Xie Lian and San Lang walked quietly, until they finally reached the gates of the Xie family manor and walked inside. Xie Lian didn’t head for the front door though, but rather an entrance the servants used around the side that was more discreet.

San Lang observed as he walked with Xie Lian, taking in the details of the house, including the workers-or lack thereof.

“Ah Xie Lian,” the housekeeper spotted them when they walked further through the manor, “I’m glad you finally made it back. How was the trip out into town?”

“Liberating.” Xie Lian sighed softly, “Thank you, Madam Housekeeper. I really needed that.”

“I know you did. I’ve known you since you were-“

“—a babe, I know.” Xie Lian flushed pink.

San Lang smiled.

“Who’s your friend?” The housekeeper then asked politely.

“Please forgive my intrusion. My father kicked me out, so gege said I could stay here for a little while.” San Lang bowed with perfect manners.

“I see. Since you’re staying here, you can help work for room and board.” Madam Housekeeper said with a sparkle in her eye. “Make sure you wear a uniform.”

San Lang looked surprised for a moment, then grinned, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Xie Lian looked mortified. “He’s my guest!”

“Of course, dear. Now, leave everything here and take your friend to get changed. You’ll be expected in the kitchen.” She chuckled.

Xie Lian felt his face turn red as he grabbed San Lang’s wrist and dragged him towards the stairwell.

San Lang wore a complicated expression, but hid it quickly before Xie Lian turned his head.

“I’m sorry about her. She likes to tease me.”

“I think it’s nice you have someone who cares for you, gege.”

Xie Lian smiled. “You’re right. Do you have anyone like that back at home?”

San Lang made a strange, complicated face.

Xie Lian covered his mouth, trying not to laugh.

“What?”

“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude.” Xie Lian laughed.

San Lang looked confused. “You could never be rude… was my expression that bad?”

“I’d never seen anything like it.” Xie Lian chuckled, stopping by one of the linen cupboards to find a servants uniform for San Lang.

“Alright, let’s go change.”

Once San Lang had changed out of his red nobleman’s attire and into the servants garb-a plain black tunic, with breeches and leather boots, and a belt tied around his waist-the two men headed to the kitchens where the cook was waiting for them.

“Took your fucking time! I don’t have all day to get dinner out to his bloody majesty out there, okay. It might not be your head on the chopping block, but it is mine, so have some consideration when you’re dallying around and flirting.” The cook snapped viciously as he shoved vegetables at Xie Lian to cut.

San Lang’s face darkened immediately. “If you can’t manage your time, then that’s your problem, not gege’s. He’s not your personal slave.”

“You-!”

“I? What? Go ahead and abuse the hired help. See what it gets you in the end other than no help at all.”

“Fine. You won’t be getting anything to eat.”

“I can cook just fine.” San Lang smiled triumphantly.

Xie Lian looked at him with surprise, then looked back at the cook. “I apologise for being late, but please don’t be rude to San Lang.”

“Hmph.”

Xie Lian groaned inwardly. This was going to be an awkward few hours…

Or so he thought.

Instead, he was too distracted by his conversation with San Lang to even notice the hostile glances cast in their direction, aimed at the young noble.

“San Lang, how do you even know how to cook?” Xie Lian asked with amusement as he cut the vegetables for dinner, watching as San Lang flawlessly peeled and cut his own share that he was helping with. In the end, he refused to let Xie Lian do it all alone.

Xie Lian had a feeling San Lang just wanted to drive home a point to the cook.

“My father made sure I learned.” San Lang smiled, “He couldn’t teach me himself because he was too busy, so he had a chef teach me. His reasoning was that he couldn’t have me starve out in the middle of nowhere, and I should know what to do with what we hunt.”

“You know how to hunt, San Lang?” Xie Lian asked with some excitement.

San Lang smiled, “Of course. I’ve skinned a bear before.”

The cook made a noise akin to terror, and Xie Lian struggled not to laugh.

“I’ve finished cutting everything, gege.” San Lang said.

“Alright. It’s time to set the table.”

San Lang followed Xie Lian over to the cabinet where the fine China was kept. It was one of the last remaining things he had of his deceased mother, and he hoped to keep it that way, as long as Qi Rong didn’t throw another fit and decide to smash all of their dinnerware again.

“This is a custom made set.” San Lang said, snapping Xie Lian out of his thoughts.

“Oh, you can tell?” Xie Lian smiled.

“Of course.” San Lang replied, “it’s completely hand painted.”

“It was given to my mother as a gift, before she remarried.” Xie Lian explained. “My stepfather believes that everything that belongs to her is his, but that’s not exactly true.”

San Lang kept his face carefully neutral as he listened and helped, placing cutlery exactly where it needed to go and plates in their correct positions.

“You’re really good at this, San Lang.” Xie Lian furrowed his brow.

“Only because I spend too much time staring at dinner table settings instead of listening to idle gossip.” San Lang laughed. “What’s next, gege?”

Xie Lian suddenly sobered up. “You should go to the kitchen. I have to go call my cousin and my stepfather for dinner.”

“Let me come with you. I’ll stay in the shadows and out of sight.” San Lang insisted.

Xie Lian looked hesitant, but he nodded.

As they approached Qi Rong’s room, San Lang was true to his word, disappearing off into the nearby shadows to keep an eye on the situation.

Xie Lian knocked on the door and waited, knowing Qi Rong definitely had something planned after what he did earlier that morning.

“Cousin!” Qi Rong ripped open the door, looking delighted at seeing Xie Lian standing in front of him.

“Dinner will be served soon. You should make your way to the dining room.”

“I never said you could leave this morning.” Qi Rong said with a glint in his green eyes.

“I had other duties to tend to.” Xie Lian explained.

“That’s bullshit and you know it.”

“Honestly…” Xie Lian pinched the bridge of his nose.

“I told Jun Wu.” Qi Rong smiled triumphantly.

Xie Lian froze. Then, he released a sigh. “Go be seated for dinner.”

Then, he walked away.

Next was Jun Wu, who was likely working in his office. Xie Lian knocked twice and waited, then—

“Enter.”

Xie Lian walked in, closing the door behind himself. “Good evening, sir.”

“Good evening, Xie Lian.”

“I came to inform you that dinner will soon be ready.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll be taking my leave.”

“Hold on a moment.” Jun Wu stopped him. “Qi Rong told me you left before he dismissed you this morning.”

“I did.” Xie Lian admitted.

Jun Wu sighed heavily with disappointment. “Then I have no choice. Tomorrow you’ll be scrubbing the manor floors clean with a scrub brush.”

“I see. If that is what you wish, then I will do as you see fit.” Xie Lian replied.

“Good.”

Once they were far enough away, San Lang reappeared at Xie Lian’s side looking rather worried.

“Are you alright, gege?”

Xie Lian smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m fine. Shall we go eat dinner?”

“You don’t sit with them?” San Lang asked with a frown.

“Oh no,” he laughed, “I’m certainly not allowed that privilege.”

“Gege. You’re not some mere slave they can boss around.”

Xie Lian looked stunned. Then he smiled. “Ah, let’s go eat shall we? I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely hungry…”

San Lang sighed as he followed after him, and together they headed back to the kitchen to eat dinner.

After eating dinner and cleaning the dishes for the night, they’d been dismissed. Xie Lian lead San Lang back to his room in the attic, gathering a set of bed sheets and blankets for the spare bed on the way.

Xie Lian opened the door to his room and grimaced.

“I’m sorry it’s not what you’re used to.”

“Gege, don’t apologise. You’re kind enough to give me a place to stay.” San Lang replied softly. “I’m sorry your stepfather treats you like dirt.”

“I’m used to it.” Xie Lian smiled.

“Doesn’t mean you should be.”

Xie Lian lowered his eyes. He wondered why San Lang cared so much about how he was treated. He wasn’t anyone special.

“Here, let me.” San Lang took the sheets from Xie Lian, and started making the spare bed.

“It must get cold up here in the winter.” San Lang said.

“It’s certainly not pleasant.” Xie Lian admitted.

“Are there any tricks you use to keep warm?”

Xie Lian tilted his head to the side in question.

“I don’t really like the cold.” San Lang confessed.

Xie Lian laughed.

“Don’t laugh. It’s embarrassing.” San Lang pouted.

“I’m sorry.” Xie Lian apologised. “You could sleep in my bed with me if you wanted, but it might be a tight fit.”

“I can do that.” San Lang replied.

“Okay.”

Xie Lian started to get changed and San Lang very quickly turned around to give him privacy, caught entirely off guard.

“Are you getting changed too?” Xie Lian asked.

“I’ll sleep in my tunic.”

“Okay,” he replied as he crawled into bed, moving over to make room for San Lang.

San Lang slid in beside him, and Xie Lian pulled the blankets up over the both of them.

“So what did you fight with your father about? You never said.” Xie Lian asked, the light of the candle flickering back and forth.

San Lang looked at Xie Lian and smiled grimly. “Marriage.”

For some reason Xie Lian’s heart squeezed painfully. “Ah… you don’t want to get married?”

“I do. It’s just that…” San Lang’s eyes locked with Xie Lian’s. “There’s someone I’m trying to win over first.”

His dark obsidian eyes were intense and determined, to the point Xie Lian could feel his cheeks turning a dark shade of red.

“Goodnight!”

San Lang chuckled.

He was patient.

The entirety of the next day was spent scrubbing the floors with a scrub brush. San Lang insisted on helping, and wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“Gege,” San Lang said, “I apologise if this is intrusive, and you don’t have to answer…”

Xie Lian looked over curiously.

“I was just wondering why your stepfather treats you the way he does.”

Xie Lian smiled. “Ah. That.”

“Don’t answer-“

“I’m happy to answer, San Lang.” Xie Lian replied softly. “It just might not be very interesting.”

“It doesn’t have to be.” San Lang frowned, “it’s about you.”

Xie Lian started scrubbing a little extra hard, and cleared his throat. “I won’t give him access to the trust.”

“…What?”

“I told you, it’s not very-“

“No, gege forgive me, but that’s why he abuses you so abhorrently?” San Lang frowned.

“I wouldn’t go that far…” Xie Lian mumbled.

San Lang stood. “I’ll be back in a minute, gege.”

“Huh? Oh, okay…”

San Lang disappeared somewhere, returning with a bucket and a mop several minutes later.

“He might’ve said you had to scrub it with a brush, but not me.”

“S-San Lang!” Xie Lian gasped.

“We’ll go out afterward, okay?”

“Alright, if you say so.” Xie Lian smiled as he scrubbed.

San Lang got to work on mopping the floor with quick precision. He made certain he didn’t miss any spots, so Xie Lian wouldn’t have to do them.

“San Lang…” Xie Lian was speechless when he was done. “We’ve been working on these floors for most of the day and you finished them in less than ten.”

“That’s an exaggeration.” San Lang smiled.

“Point is, we’re done thanks to you.” Xie Lian said.

“Good. Now I’m taking you out. You deserve it.” San Lang smiled, “Let’s go. We can empty the water on the way.”

“Okay,” Xie Lian smiled back, standing up and tossing the brush in the bucket before picking it up.

Out in the courtyard, they poured the water out over the gravel, then set their buckets off around the side of the manor before leaving. It seemed San Lang understood that Xie Lian wasn’t allowed to use the horses or carriages, but that didn’t seem to deter him as he led Xie Lian off of the path and into the forest instead.

“Do you go into the forest much, gege?” San Lang asked.

“No, I’m not really allowed.” Xie Lian said, a sense of excitement beginning to creep in.

“I’ll keep you safe.” San Lang assured him.

Xie Lian blushed. He had no doubt that San Lang would.

After walking for some time, they came across a cabin. San Lang walked right in, looking around for something in particular until he spotted a bow and quiver in the corner.

“San Lang, is this place yours?” Xie Lian asked.

“It is.” San Lang replied. “Do you know how to do much archery?”

“I’ve tried before, and I understand the basics, but I’m not very good at it I’m afraid.” Xie Lian smiled timidly.

“Show me.” San Lang encouraged, handing him the bow and an arrow.

They walked outside and stood a good distance away from a tree, where Xie Lian took his stance, lifted the bow and drew back the string and fired, missing the tree by millimetres.

“That’s okay.” San Lang said, “You need to adjust your stance-like this-that’s it, and lift your arm higher.”

He stood behind Xie Lian, adjusting his hold and lifting his drawing arm to the right height. In a way, it felt intimate.

“Now shoot.”

Xie Lian let the arrow fly, hitting the centre of the tree.

“You’re a natural.”

“I just have a good teacher.” Xie Lian blushed. He could feel the heat of San Lang’s body against his, and he realised just how broad his shoulders were, as well as how much muscle San Lang seemed to have despite his lithe frame.

“I just gave you a few pointers, gege. You figured everything else out on your own, remember? Don’t sell yourself short.” San Lang encouraged him again, “Why don’t we keep practicing for a little while before we do what I had in mind? I think you’ll be excited.”

“Alright.” Xie Lian smiled. “But I do have to be back at the manor for dinner duties, remember?”

“Of course, gege. We’ll leave part two for tomorrow, then.”

“What’s part two?” Xie Lian asked with amusement.

San Lang grinned, “a secret for now.”

“San Laaaang.”

San Lang laughed. “Try it without me.”

Xie Lian smiled, giving it another go without San Lang supporting his arm. The second arrow hit close to the first arrow, proving to him that he could do it.

“See? A natural.”

Xie Lian rolled his eyes with a smile, “You haven’t shown me your skill with a bow, yet.”

“Well, if you wish to see, then who am I to deny you?” San Lang smiled as he took the bow, and pulled an arrow from the quiver.

He took his stance and drew back the string, adjusting his aim slightly, then let the arrow fly. Xie Lian watched him carefully, noticing a few subtle things most other people would never pick up on; he noticed San Lang making adjustments, the kinds of adjustments one would make when they had to compensate for a disability of some kind.

For example, a lack of depth perception.

“Why’d you shoot past the tree?” Xie Lian asked.

“I’ll show you.” San Lang said.

They walked out past the tree, only to see someone struggling to get themselves free from the arrow that had them pinned to the tree behind them.

“Who are you?” San Lang demanded. “This part of the woods is private land.”

“No one! I’m no one!” They squeaked.

A dark look overcame San Lang as he drew another arrow, pointed at their head this time.

“Speak.”

“I was following him!” They exclaimed, “those were my orders!”

“Orders?” San Lang narrowed his eyes. “From Jun Wu?”

“Y-yes!”

Xie Lian sighed heavily.

“Go back and tell Jun Wu that he went into town to get a few things. Bear in mind I won’t show you any mercy should he come to harm because of you.” San Lang warned.

“He won’t!”

Xie Lian stepped forward and pulled the arrow out of the tree, freeing their suspect who immediately fled.

“Private land, huh?” Xie Lian raised his brow, smiling.

“It belongs to my family.” San Lang shrugged. “Come on gege, we better go pick something up from in town so if your stepfather questions you, you have proof.”

“But I don’t have money.” Xie Lian said.

“I’ll handle it.” He smiled.

“But…”

“It’s really no issue, gege. Let me help you.”

“Oh…alright.”

San Lang managed to flag down someone to give them a ride into town, where strangely enough, there seemed to be an air of worry around.

“-Prince Hua Cheng is ill…”

“I hope he feels better soon…”

Xie Lian overheard some of the chatter as he passed the crowd.

“He’s usually so healthy. I wonder what happened.”

“He has been extremely busy lately…”

Xie Lian hummed. “That doesn’t sound good.”

“So that’s the story they’re running with, huh?” San Lang mumbled to himself.

“What was that?” Xie Lian asked.

“Nothing, gege. Come, this way.”

“What? Oh.”

Xie Lian followed after San Lang, reaching the market where they purchased some eggs and some vegetables before leaving, knowing they had to get back to the manor before dinner preparations began.

They walked into the kitchen with moments to spare. The cook didn’t comment, just gave them their tasks, which they completed before leaving to inform Qi Rong and Jun Wu that dinner would soon be ready.

After eating dinner, washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen, they both headed up to the attic together to get ready for bed.

“Thank you, for today.” Xie Lian smiled as he lay on his side facing San Lang. “I don’t remember the last time I enjoyed myself that much.”

San Lang’s face softened. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.”

“I wonder if things at the palace are okay? It sounded like it was serious.” Xie Lian furrowed his brow with concern.

“I wouldn’t listen to what the people in town have to say. It’s just idle gossip.” San Lang shrugged.

“Are you familiar with his highness?” Xie Lian asked.

“Hua Cheng? Sure. What do you want to know?” San Lang asked with a smile.

“I don’t know…What kind of person is he? It occurred to me that I don’t know much about him, and that made me sad.”

“Gege is kind.” San Lang smiled softly. “For starters, he’s arrogant, merciless, and cunning. It’s said that he’s disfigured, too.”

“How so?” Xie Lian asked.

“His eye.” San Lang replied cryptically. “He’s blind on one side.”

Xie Lian furrowed his brow. “That sounds difficult.”

“He deals with it.” San Lang shrugged.

Xie Lian hummed thoughtfully. He thought back to earlier that day, when San Lang was showing him his archery skills and he suspected he might be blind in one eye. Surely he couldn’t be…?

San Lang could see Xie Lian’s brain running a marathon and smiled.

“Let’s get some sleep, gege.”

Xie Lian woke in the morning to find San Lang was already up, though he was nowhere to be seen in the attic. Once he was dressed, he made his way downstairs, only to discover the curtains were already open, giving him a view of the courtyard below.

He could see San Lang chopping wood below, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows as he did so. Since he had a little bit of time, he walked outside to greet him.

“Good morning, gege.” San Lang smiled as he approached.

“Good morning, San Lang.” Xie Lian greeted. “You’ve been busy.”

“Just doing what I can to help.” He said. “Though I’d prefer it if your stepfather and cousin suffered through the bitter cold.”

“San Lang.” Xie Lian bit his lip to stop himself from smiling, and that alone was enough to please the younger man.

San Lang tossed the last of the firewood on the pile and straightened up, moving to put the axe away.

“San Lang, may I ask a question? It might be a little rude.” Xie Lian asked as they walked together.

“Gege can ask me anything.”

Xie Lian blushed. “Then…how old are you turning this year?”

“Hm? I just turned nineteen.”

Xie Lian grumbled something under his breath.

“What was that gege?” San Lang asked.

“Nothing!” He replied quickly.

San Lang laughed.

Xie Lian clutched his chest, cheeks still a rosy hue.

Once their kitchen duties were completed, Xie Lian made his dreaded journey to wake Qi Rong and Jun Wu while San Lang stayed close but out of sight.

As per usual, Qi Rong was rude and obnoxious, tormenting Xie Lian until he saw fit to dismiss him once he realised he wouldn’t get a rise out of him.

Next was Jun Wu.

Xie Lian knocked on his door and waited like always, until he was told to enter. He walked in and remembered to greet the man first before crossing the room to open the curtains.

“Xie Lian.”

Xie Lian turned to face Jun Wu. “Yes, sir?”

“We’ll be going into town today. You’re expected to come.”

Xie Lian’s stomach plummeted. “Yes, sir.”

He left the room, face pale, and walked down the hallway in a daze.

“Gege-“

He blinked, surprised when he saw San Lang standing in front of him looking so worried.

“Gege!”

“San Lang, I…”

“What’s wrong?” He asked, “please talk to me.”

“Jun Wu and Qi Rong are going into town today. I’m expected to go with them.” Xie Lian explained, voice shaking. “Jun Wu will try to get me to sign the trust agreement over to him so only he can access it. This isn’t the first time it’s happened.”

San Lang gently squeezed his arms. “I’ll follow behind and find a way to help you, okay? You won’t be alone.”

“I’m sorry. You were going to take me somewhere today.” Xie Lian apologised.

“It’s alright. We can always reschedule.” San Lang replied with a shrug. “Come on.”

Xie Lian nodded.

The ride into town was unpleasant as always. Qi Rong spent the entire trip either gloating or tormenting Xie Lian in some way, his language foul despite his fine upbringing. Xie Lian was ashamed to even be associated, let alone related to him.

The carriage stopped outside the solicitors, where they got out.

“Qi Rong, behave while you’re in the town.” Jun Wu ordered.

“I know!” Qi Rong stomped off like a child having a temper tantrum.

“Xie Lian, come.”

Xie Lian felt his heart race as he walked with Jun Wu up the stairs to the building doors, feeling a sense of utter hopelessness as he did so.

But then he spotted San Lang standing nearby, disguised as an ordinary citizen. He was moving some cargo off the back of a cart for one of the shop owners, with a clear line of sight of the solicitors.

Suddenly, Xie Lian felt a sense of calm. He was certain he would be alright.

Inside, while they were waiting, Jun Wu suddenly spoke. “I’m certain I’ve seen that boy before.”

“Pardon?” Xie Lian asked quietly.

“The boy who was unloading cargo from the cart.” Jun Wu replied. “I can’t recall where from, though.”

Xie Lian made a mental note to warn San Lang when he got back to the manor.

The solicitor called them into his office and gestured for them to take a seat.

“Xie Lian, as discussed prior, it is in your best interest to sign the agreement. You will be free to go where you wish, and your stepfather will have what he wants.”

“Don’t pretend to have my best interests at heart. I know he’s paying you.” Xie Lian said calmly. “I will not sign.”

“Xie Lian.” Jun Wu’s voice was chilling. He stood and walked over to Xie Lian’s chair, grabbed him by the wrist, and forced him out of his chair and over to the desk.

“I will never sign it over to you!” Xie Lian struggled against his hold, fighting as Jun Wu pressed his thumb into the ink pad and moved his hand closer toward the page.

Xie Lian struggled harder, making it as difficult as possible for his stepfather.

“Stop making things so difficult. You’ll only regret it later.” Jun Wu said with an icy tone. “Why can’t you just accept that this needs to happen?”

“You’re delusional.” Xie Lian gasped.

Jun Wu’s grip tightened further.

“Stop.” A commanding voice called out from the doorway.

Everyone turned their heads except for Xie Lian, who was busy prying his arm away from Jun Wu. Once he was free, he scrambled back toward the door, where a man dressed in a black and purple uniform of fine make, with a silver pocket watch hanging from his waistcoat and black hair pulled back in a ponytail, stood. Xie Lian didn’t recognise him, but he was grateful for the interruption.

“Who are you to interrupt my practice?” The solicitor snapped.

“My name is Yin Yu.” He answered. “By my lords orders, you are not to touch the Xie family trust in any way. Doing so will result in your head.”

Yin Yu walked over to the desk and picked up the paperwork in question.

“You can’t just take it!”

“Due to the extraordinary circumstances, my lord will be looking after the paperwork. It’s clear you can’t be trusted.” Yin Yu placed it inside a black folder that had a gold seal Xie Lian just managed to glimpse.

“Master Xie, may I speak with you outside?” Yin Yu addressed Xie Lian.

“Oh, of course…” xie Lian stood up properly and brushed himself off, wincing at the bruising, and followed Yin Yu outside.

“Thank you for your help,” Xie Lian said once they were well away from the building.

“It was no problem.” Yin Yu replied. “My Lord said he would be happy to look after this document for you until the day came when you could take it back yourself.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, who is your employer?” Xie Lian asked.

“He said when the time was right, he would reveal himself.” Yin Yu sighed with exasperation.

“Ah, so he’s a man of mystery.” Xie Lian smiled.

Yin Yu looked perplexed.

“I can wait. In the meantime, please give him my regards, and my thanks.” Xie Lian said.

“Of course.”

“Thank you very much.” Xie Lian thanked him again, and Yin Yu then left.

“Gege!”

San Lang came running over looking rather distressed. “He hurt you.”

“Oh, it looks worse than it feels.” Xie Lian laughed awkwardly.

“Gege, don’t smile if you don’t feel like smiling. I can tell this injury is painful-it’s still swelling.”

Xie Lian’s mask instantly dropped. He looked exhausted and his expression immediately sombered. “He’s done this before.”

“Hurt you?” San Lang asked with alarm.

Xie Lian nodded. “As well as tried to get me to sign the agreement. It’s something that occurs every few months…today he was more forceful. More…desperate.”

“I worry Jun Wu will hurt you now that he can’t access the trust at all.”

Xie Lian paused briefly. He didn’t tell him about that.

“He’s been hurting me for years. What can he possibly do that’s any worse?” Xie Lian laughed bitterly, tears making tracks down his cheeks.

“Gege, let’s go find a doctor please. I want your injuries treated.” San Lang murmured softly as he wiped the tears from Xie Lian’s cheek with his thumb.

Xie Lian nodded. He knew in his heart that he’d let San Lang take him anywhere, and as San Lang took his uninjured hand and began walking, he stared at their linked hands and felt his heart flip.

Oh, he was in deep now.

The doctor San Lang took Xie Lian to was kind and patient and didn’t ask many questions about how he got the injury. Xie Lian was grateful for that, and even more so for the care he was given.

“Remember: don’t lift anything too heavy. No strenuous activities. Give it time to heal.” The doctor said as they were about to leave.

“Thank you, Doctor.” Xie Lian said again.

“Of course. Now you look after yourself, now.”

San Lang held the door open for Xie Lian, and they began their own walk home, catching a ride on the back of a passing cart.

“I heard a passing rumour in town today.” San Lang broke their comfortable silence.

“Oh?”

“I heard the palace is throwing a ball for the Prince, and they’re inviting every eligible candidate for marriage, regardless of class.”

“That’s…” Xie Lian was speechless. “I didn’t realise the king would allow something like that.

“…He’s not that bad.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean-! I just mean, you know, most royal families are quite strict about a betrothal being of noble blood.” Xie Lian mumbled.

San Lang smiled. “I understood what you meant, gege. I mean, I’m sure the king would like noble blood, but I think he’d also prefer his son to be happy.”

Xie Lian smiled softly. “San Lang, I never really asked before…” he said, watching the fields pass, “Do you have any siblings?”

San Lang’s face suddenly seemed to have a mixture of complicated emotions.

“I…I did. Two older brothers.”

Xie Lian suddenly felt like he asked the wrong question. “I’m sorry San Lang. if you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to, but I’m willing to listen.” Xie Lian assured him.

San Lang looked relieved, but not for the reason he expected.

“I don’t suppose you remember the war that happened twenty three years ago?”

“I don’t remember it, but I know it. My father died in that war.” Xie Lian murmured.

San Lang nodded. “My brothers were killed in the line of duty. I never got to know them except for through paintings and stories my parents told me.”

“I’m so sorry, San Lang.” Xie Lian said softly.

San Lang gave him a small smile. “I’m okay, gege.”

“Even so, you’re upset.” Xie Lian pointed out.

San Lang felt himself smile. “True.”

The cart stopped near the manor, where they hopped off and thanked the driver. They both went about their day, the same as usual, with no disturbances. It unsettled Xie Lian, who was waiting for the backlash from the days earlier events.

But nothing came.

He went to bed feeling scared and anxious, but San Lang wouldn’t have that.

“Gege, I know you’re scared, and you have good reason to be. I’m here with you and I will do everything I can to help.” San Lang said earnestly.

Xie Lian desperately wanted to ask who he was to San Lang and why he was so intent on protecting him. But he didn’t ask.

“I know he’ll do something. I don’t know what, and it scares me.” Xie Lian swallowed.

“He won’t get away with what he’s done.” San Lang assured him.

“You don’t understand-he has contacts in high places. He can get out of any charges pressed against him-only the royal family would succeed in pressing charges.”

“I also have contacts in high places gege. Don’t underestimate me yet.” San Lang pouted.

Xie Lian blinked. “You are so unserious.”

“I’m very serious right now.” He complained. “Gege, don’t ignore me.”

San Lang slid his arm around his waist, begging for attention.

Xie Lian couldn’t help it. He finally cracked a smile. “You remind me of a boy I used to know.”

San Lang’s eyes widened.

“He also craved my attention.”

“How did you meet?” San Lang asked breathlessly.

“I was walking in the nearby forest one day, and he fell out of a tree and straight into my arms. I was so shocked.” Xie Lian laughed. “I don’t know what he was doing up there, though I suppose he was after the fruit.”

“Kids do dumb shit like climb trees all the time, gege. Maybe he just liked high places.” San Lang offered.

Xie Lian chuckled. “Maybe. He became attached to me after that…We’d see each other in the forest often for a time, but then he stopped coming, and Jun Wu forbade me from wandering too far… I really hope he’s doing okay these days.”

San Lang’s face softened. “I’m sure he’s doing well, gege.”

Xie Lian felt himself smile. Then, while lying beside San Lang and observing his features for a time, he noticed one of his eyes had a slightly red tint to it. He hadn’t noticed it before.

Coloured lenses?

He wondered why San Lang would go to the trouble of wearing coloured lenses.

San Lang reached across and brushed some hair out of his face in an intimate gesture. “Get some sleep, gege. Tomorrow we’ll go out like we promised.”

The clues that had been piecing themselves over time finally solidified in his mind. He didn’t say anything, though.

Just closed his eyes and fell asleep feeling at ease beside San Lang.

“Where are we going, San Lang?” Xie Lian asked as they walked further through the forest San Lang’s family owned.

They had picked up the bow and quiver full of arrows earlier.

“You were interested in hunting, right?”

“Oh, you noticed?” Xie Lian asked awkwardly.

“Of course I did. I know you can’t use your hand right now, but there’ll be more opportunities.”

Xie Lian wasn’t so sure.

San Lang suddenly slowed his pace, his footsteps going quiet. Xie Lian had spotted it too: a deer through the trees.

San Lang pulled an arrow from the quiver and took aim, adjusting slightly, then let the arrow fly.

The arrow embedded itself in the deer’s neck, killing it instantly, and it fell to the ground.

“Don’t worry gege. We aren’t doing this for sport.” San Lang assured him when he noticed the worry on his face.

“Oh, good.”

“Let’s take it back to the cabin for now. We can deal with it there.” San Lang smiled, walking over to the deer to collect it. “We’re not looking for anything else?” Xie Lian asked.

“I was taught not to be wasteful of our resources.” San Lang explained as they walked back toward the cabin. “Only take what’s needed, and always make the most of it.”

“I see,” Xie Lian smiled. “That’s wise advice. Qi Rong…I wish he’d follow the same advice.”

San Lang’s face darkened. “There are laws around hunting for sport. If he’s not following them, I might have to report him.”

“That may be for the best.” Xie Lian murmured.

“What does he do?” San Lang’s asked as he set the deer down on a sturdy wooden table around the back of the cabin.

Xie Lian helped San Lang, and explained as he did so. “He often goes over the limit of kills allowed. I’ve tried to stop him before…”

“But you got injured?” San Lang surmised.

Xie Lian nodded.

“He doesn’t use what he kills either. It’s usually left where it died.”

San Lang’s movements became increasingly more frustrated and angry. He was furious.

“I’m sorry.” Xie Lian apologised. “You shouldn’t have to deal with my cousin. I know he’s a handful.”

“Gege, Qi Rong is causing you so much grief. I would gladly end that in a heartbeat.” San Lang said firmly.

Xie Lian felt his cheeks warm at how sincere he was. “S-so what do we do?”

San Lang chuckled.

They returned to the manor late in the afternoon. Since they’d had so much meat, they took some into town and sold it for a decent price before taking the rest back to the manor.

The cook looked at the meat with wide eyes.

“Where’d this come from?”

“A deer.” San Lang retorted.

“No-usually you can’t get this at the market.”

“We went hunting. Don’t tell the great overlord, though. If he asks, it’s from the market.” San Lang said firmly.

“My lips are sealed.” The cook was practically salivating.

While the cook prepared and seasoned the meat, Xie Lian and San Lang prepared the vegetables like usual, then set the table. Then, Xie Lian went and informed Qi Rong and Jun Wu about dinner.

Qi Rong was delighted when he arrived.

“Cousin! Tomorrow we’re going hunting!”

Vaguely, Xie Lian wondered if he was psychic.

“What time?” Xie Lian asked. “Remember you need to obey the law—“

“Screw the law! I’ll do what I damn well please!” Qi Rong shouted.

Xie Lian sighed. He could feel a headache coming on.

“You’re just a filthy house servant now-you think you can order me around? Make sure you’re up on time tomorrow or you’ll regret it!”

“Fine…” Xie Lian turned and walked out, still able to hear Qi Rong’s abuse as he continued down the corridor toward Jun Wu’s office.

“And bring another servant with you!” Qi Rong shouted.

Oh great.

Knocking on Jun Wu’s office door made Xie Lian feel sick with anxiety.

“Come in.”

Xie Lian walked in, staying close to the door.  After what happened, he refused to go any closer to the man. “Dinner is almost ready, sir.”

“Thank you, Xie Lian.” Jun Wu smiled. “My, you can come closer.”

“With respect, sir, I’d like to stay here.” Xie Lian replied.

Jun Wu sighed, obviously displeased. “I’ll give you three days. Produce the contract, and I’ll let you go.”

“You can’t bribe me anymore.”

“Then why are you still here, in that attic?”

Xie Lian hated that he was right. If only he could find his mother’s keepsakes and leave.

Jun Wu smiled ruthlessly. “Produce the contract and I’ll return every one of your mother’s possessions.”

“You’re a sick bastard.” Xie Lian hissed.

“Three days, Xie Lian.”

Xie Lian left the office. As he walked, he felt a hand brush against his, then take hold of it, giving it a gentle squeeze of assurance as they walked.

“Want me to go with you tomorrow?” San Lang asked.

“Qi Rong will abuse you.” Xie Lian warned.

San Lang scoffed. “Let him. It will bite his ass eventually.”

“San Lang.” Xie Lian scolded lightly, trying not to laugh.

“About what Jun Wu said back there…” San Lang said hesitantly.

“I refuse to give him access. I…I’ll get my mother’s things somehow.” Xie Lian said.

“Yes. You will.” San Lang agreed with determination.

The areas available to hunt in were few and far between. The forest near the Xie Manor was where Qi Rong had chosen to go, despite Xie Lian’s countless warnings that it was private property and belonged to a noble house. San Lang was standing right next to him of course, but that was beside the point.

“I said I don’t care about some noble! They can get fucked!” Qi Rong snapped. “You’re scaring all of the prey away, shut up!”

“No, that’s you.” San Lang muttered.

The hunting trip was miserable. As expected, Qi Rong killed animals left, right, and centre but simply left them to rot. Xie Lian could already see the gears working in San Lang’s head.

“I’m exhausted. We’re going home.” Qi Rong huffed.

Xie Lian frowned. “I’ll clean up here. Wouldn’t want anyone to come for your license, since you’re the only one with one in the area.”

“Huh. Good point, cousin.” Qi Rong nodded approval, and left both Xie Lian and San Lang to clean up after him.

“You were right, gege.” San Lang said as he contemplated murder.

“I’m really sorry, San Lang.” Xie Lian apologised.

“You should never apologise for scum like him.” San Lang said firmly. “This is not your fault.”

Xie Lian lowered his eyes. “What do we do with all of the animals?”

San Lang smiled. “Do what we did yesterday.” He said, “It’s coming into winter, so the furs will fetch quite a high price. Would you like to keep some? I can keep them where I live.”

“Maybe a couple. I’ve never been able to afford fur.” Xie Lian admitted.

“Only because Jun Wu is a piece of shit.” San Lang scrunched up his face.

Xie Lian laughed. “A noble such as yourself really shouldn’t curse.”

“I have no idea what you mean, gege.” San Lang replied innocently, “My mouth is as clean as can be.”

Xie Lian laughed harder. “Liar.”

They didn’t return to the manor until well after dark, meaning Xie Lian completely missed dinner duties. Jun Wu was waiting for him in the foyer as he suspected, so San Lang had entered the house using a different entrance Xie Lian had shown him.

“Xie Lian. You’ve been gone quite a long time. I didn’t think disposing of animals was such tedious work.” Jun Wu said condescendingly.

“I apologise for the delay. The number of carcasses exceeded my expectations.” Xie Lian apologised.

Jun Wu narrowed his eyes sceptically.

Then, there was a knock on the door, surprising the older man, for who could be visiting so late at night?

Xie Lian turned and opened the door to see Yin Yu standing on the doorstep in his pristine uniform. Xie Lian opened the door wider and let him in, curious as to what his visit entailed.

“And to what do we owe the pleasure?” Jun Wu asked with a tight smile.

“I apologise for such a late visit. I have come to deliver an invitation to the Xie household.” Yin Yu produced a pristine envelope with a red and silver wax seal, but Jun Wu intercepted it before Xie Lian could take it.

Xie Lian watched as Jun Wu opened the envelope and removed the invitation, reading it carefully.

“I see. What a joyous occasion.” Jun Wu smiled.

“We hope to see you at the ball.” Yin Yu added, his eyes flicking towards Xie Lian towards the end.

Xie Lian understood. The invitation was meant for him.

“Go to your room, Xie Lian. Since you were so late and failed to complete your duties, you won’t be eating tonight.”Jun Wu spoke.

Xie Lian bit his lip and nodded, then turned and headed for the stairwell.

When he reached his room in the attic, San Lang joined him again, though he looked furious.

“He’s not letting you eat?”

“It’s okay, I can handle one night.” Xie Lian grimaced despite how unpleasant it was.

“That’s beside the point!”

“San Lang…” Xie Lian reached out and took hold of his clenched fists, uncurling his fingers so they weren’t cutting into his palms, and then he held his hands. “Your highness.”

San Lang’s face fell. “Don’t use that title with me. I’d still prefer you to call me San Lang.”

Xie Lian squeezed his hands in acknowledgment. “San Lang, who is this person you’ve been trying to win over?”

San Lang’s smiled helplessly. “If you already know, then why ask?”

“Don’t you want to know how I feel about this?” Xie Lian asked.

He did, but he was terrified.

Xie Lian stood from his bed and wrapped his arms around his waist, resting his forehead against his chest.

Hua Cheng’s eyes widened.

“You make it so easy to be happy, something I thought I’d forgotten.” Xie Lian said. “Though I fear I may not meet your parent’s expectations.”

“Gege, they’d never judge you.” Hua Cheng assured him, carefully slipping his own arms around Xie Lian’s small waist, reciprocating his hold.

“You really think so?” He asked quietly.

“I know so.” Hua Cheng smiled.

Xie Lian suddenly pulled Hua Cheng against him in a tighter hug. “Jun Wu will never allow me to go to the ball.”

“Leave that to me, gege. As long as you can find a way of getting out of the house, I’ll be able to get you there no problem.” Hua Cheng promised. “A gift should be arriving for you before the evening in question.”

“A gift?” Xie Lian looked up at him with confusion.

“It’s a surprise.”

“I seem to be getting a lot of those lately.” Xie Lian observed.

Hua Cheng laughed softly. “You deserve to be spoiled gege.”

Xie Lian felt himself blush. “When will you have to return to the palace?”

“Tomorrow morning.” Hua Cheng explained. “I know it’s sudden.”

Xie Lian shook his head. “I’m sure your parents miss you.”

“They’re fine.” San Lang assured him.

“When I next see you…will I see you without the coloured lenses?”

“It’s not a very pretty sight, gege.” Hua Cheng murmured. “I usually keep it covered in public.”

“It won’t change how I feel about you. But if it makes you uncomfortable, then please don’t feel pressured.” Xie Lian said softly.

“…next time, then.” Hua Cheng murmured.

Xie Lian smiled.

“I can go make you something to eat, gege. It’s no trouble.” Hua Cheng added, changing subject.

“I don’t want you to get caught. I can go one night.”

Hua Cheng didn’t look happy about that at all. “Make sure you eat tomorrow, then.”

“I promise I will.” Xie Lian laughed softly. “You worry too much.”

“I think I worry the right amount.” He pouted.

“Of course. You’re very responsible.” Xie Lian teased.

“Gege…”

Xie Lian laughed, and Hua Cheng smiled.

“Let’s get some rest, gege. You had a long day.”

Xie Lian sighed. “Oh, alright.”

They got ready for bed, and crawled beneath the blankets of Xie Lian’s bed, facing each other.

“How long have you known me, San Lang?” Xie Lian asked curiously.

Hua Cheng smiled. “Since I was a boy.”

Realisation hit Xie Lian as he recognised him. “Oh San Lang…I’m so sorry-I should have realised sooner.”

“Gege, it’s been years since that happened. How could you recognise me?” Hua Cheng laughed softly. “I don’t blame you.”

Xie Lian felt so embarrassed. “We spent so much time together though.”

“I was only a child back then.” Hua Cheng reminded him.

“A very cute one.” Xie Lian added, and watched Hua Cheng’s face turn pink.

“Gege’s so mean, teasing me like that.”

Xie Lian laughed. “If I’m mean, what does that make you?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” Hua Cheng said innocently.

“Liar.”

“Goodnight gege.”

“Goodnight.” Xie Lian answered softly.

Xie Lian drifted off to sleep in Hua Cheng’s arms, while Hua Cheng stayed awake for much longer.

Planning. Plotting. Preparing.

He was prepared to do whatever it took to ensure Xie Lian’s safety and happiness, and he would make sure anyone responsible for his pain would suffer a hundredfold.

When morning came, Xie Lian found he was alone. He had expected as much, but he had gotten so used to Hua Cheng’s presence that being alone felt foreign.

He sat up, only to discover there was a necklace around his neck; a beautiful silver chain, with a crystal ring hanging from it. The ring was possibly made from solid diamond with the way it glittered in the light, and the very thought sent a shiver down his spine. Perhaps he was supposed to give it back upon seeing him again?

Regardless, it was beautiful and he would make certain not to lose it, tucking it beneath his clothes where it would remain hidden.

The cook was surprised to see it was just him when he entered the kitchen.

“Where’s the kid?”

“San Lang has returned home.” Xie Lian explained.

“There’s no need to look so glum. He seemed to really like you, so he’ll probably come back around.” The cook said in an attempt to cheer up Xie Lian, who smiled at him.

“Thank you. I think I’ll be seeing him again really soon.”

“Well that’s good for you.”

Xie Lian hummed to himself as he completed his chores in the kitchen and moved on to cleaning the house, feeling cheerful.

Until Jun Wu ruined it.

“You seem to be in quite a good mood today, Xie Lian. Did something happen?”

“Nothing in particular.” He answered calmly.

Jun Wu studied him for a moment. “Is that so?”

“Are you expecting something or someone, sir?” Xie Lian asked, “Should I prepare refreshments?”

“The tailor is coming shortly. Be certain to prepare tea.”

“Of course.”

The tailor arrived bringing a number of designer suits and court attire that was trending. Xie Lian prepared the refreshments like he’d been told to, then stood back and watched as Qi Rong chose one of the most gaudy and heinous green suits in existence, and insisted on having it adjusted to his measurements. Jun Wu had chosen something that screamed arrogance and money, just as Xie Lian had expected.

He scoffed inwardly. Then he went back to cleaning the house.

Later that evening, there was a soft knock on his bedroom door. Wondering who it could possibly be, Xie Lian opening the door slightly to find it was the housekeeper.

“Young master,” she said, “I was instructed to deliver this to you in secret.”

In her hands was a large box with a gold ribbon tied around it, and Xie Lian knew it was the surprise Hua Cheng had mentioned.

He smiled softly.

“Thank you, Madam Housekeeper.”

“Of course, dear. Now, keep that out of sight until tomorrow.” She advised.

Xie Lian nodded.

The housekeeper left, and he closed the door before sitting down on the edge of his bed. He slid the box underneath the bed despite wanting to look at the contents, but knew that was for when the time came to get ready for the ball.

He smiled to himself. He looked forward to seeing Hua Cheng again.

When Xie Lian woke the next morning, he discovered his bedroom door was locked. Panic and fear gripped him almost immediately, knowing the only person who had a key to his room was Jun Wu.

He desperately pulled on the handle, hoping maybe it was a mistake, but he had no luck.

He sat back down on his bed, wondering what he was going to do.

A thought came to him, and he stood up and walked across the room to his wardrobe. He opened the door and dug through what measly belongings he owned, mostly keepsakes and things he had hidden from Jun Wu over the years.

“Found it.” He murmured under his breath.

A set of tools for pulling out the hinges of his door, which he was well practiced in doing.

Jun Wu would often lock him in his room when he was a teenager.

“Xie Lian.” Jun Wu called from the other side of the door. “Your deadline is up.”

“So you’re locking me in my room now?” Xie Lian asked calmly.

“That all depends on you.”

Ah yes. The classic, good old gaslighting technique.

“Well? Are you handing over the contract, or not?”

“I don’t have it.” Xie Lian replied. “Even if I did, I would never give it to you.”

“You’ve always been so stubborn. I’ll give you one last chance; you have until this evening.”

“I said I don’t have it!” Xie Lian shouted through the door.

“I simply don’t believe you.” Jun Wu said, “Remember, you have until this evening.”

He heard Jun Wu leave, and sat down on the bed. He was relieved the documents were safe, and couldn’t get into Jun Wu’s hands.

He spent most of the day sitting on his bed looking out his window, watching as countless carriages passed heading into the city, no doubt arriving for the ball.

As he did so, he wondered what Hua Cheng was doing—if he was okay. It had hardly been a day and he already missed him dearly.

“San Lang…”

Evening came. Jun Wu came as he said he would, not unlocking the door until Xie Lian gave in to his demands.

Xie Lian, however, remained calm. “I don’t have it. I already told you that this morning.”

Jun Wu sighed heavily with disappointment. “You disappoint me, Xie Lian. I expected more of you after raising you all these years.”

Xie Lian bit back his retort. Instead he stayed silent, listening as his stepfather left. He walked over to the window to watch for the moment when Jun Wu and Qi Rong got into their carriage and left, and as soon as they did, he pulled the box he’d received as a gift from Hua Cheng out from under his bed and opened it.

As soon as he saw what was inside, he almost wanted to cry. The set was beautiful.

Hua Cheng had sent him a white and gold three piece suit consisting of a dress coat, vest, pants and shirt, in white and gold with pale blue accents. The set also included a pair of gloves and shoes, as well as an expensive pure white fur lined cloak. Then he spotted a much smaller box and picked it up, opening it to find the red pearl earrings Hua Cheng had been wearing when they’d first met.

Xie Lian’s eyes watered, but he made sure not to cry.

He got changed, surprised at how well the clothes fit but decided not to question it, and he tied his hair back in a high ponytail with a gold ribbon. Xie Lian slipped the earrings in his ears, then secured the cloak around his shoulders before grabbing the tools from his wardrobe to remove the hinges from the door.

Free from his prison of a room, Xie Lian stepped out, dropping the hinges on the floor on the way.

Just as he had said he would, Hua Cheng had sent someone to pick him up, and that someone was Yin Yu. Yin Yu was waiting outside, and looked surprised when Xie Lian stepped out the front doors.

“Good evening, Master Xie.” He greeted politely with a bow.

“Good evening, Yin Yu.” Xie Lian smiled.

“Did you get out alright?” Yin Yu asked with some concern.

“No one stopped me.” Xie Lian said, “I was locked in my room by Jun Wu, though.”

Yin Yu seemed to be making mental notes.

“Shall we get going, Master Xie?”

Xie Lian nodded. “Please.”

The ride to the palace was comfortable and pleasant, a rare treat for Xie Lian who was used to being abused by his cousin whenever he was in a carriage.

He learned that Yin Yu had been working for Hua Cheng for about three years now, and that while he was strict, he was a fair employer. Yin Yu also told Xie Lian that Hua Cheng worked a lot, to the point he often forgot to eat…which was a problem.

When they arrived at the palace, Xie Lian suddenly felt his nerves kick in as he stepped down from the carriage.

“Master Xie, do you need me to accompany you inside?” Yin Yu asked.

“No, please go ahead and inform San Lang I’ve arrived.” Xie Lian answered.

“Of course.” Yin Yu made his way inside, and Xie Lian took the chance to take a deep calming breath before releasing it. Then, he started towards the palace doors.

Inside was teeming with nobles and guests from high society, all dressed in stunning gowns or immaculate suits with their  matching dress coats. Xie Lian walked past the man who was announcing everyone’s arrival and continued down the red carpeted stairs.

Everyone was staring, whispering amongst each other.

But Xie Lian ignored it. Hua Cheng was standing in the centre of the room, greeting guests as he had to. But as soon as he had walked in, the prince’s eyes had been glued to him.

He was wearing a darker shade of red compared to the maple red he wore when he met Xie Lian on the back of the cart. Xie Lian thought it suited him just as well.

Hua Cheng was dressed in a three piece suit consisting of a black velvet vest with silver buttons, a red dress shirt, black pants and a red dress coat with black and silver accents. Around his neck he wore a silver butterfly necklace, matching the earrings he wore in his ears. His hair was down, giving him a completely different look, and he wore a black eyepatch. Around his shoulders was a black fur lined cloak.

Ah, so they matched on purpose.

Xie Lian walked through the crowd and straight to Hua Cheng.

“Gege,” he sounded breathless. “You look stunning.”

Xie Lian turned red. “You look quite handsome yourself.”

Hua Cheng smiled. “That’s dangerous. I might just sweep you off your feet and deposit you in my room.”

“S-san Lang!” Xie Lian turned a dark shade of red at the insinuation.

Hua Cheng laughed. “Sorry, gege.”

“No you aren’t.”

Hua Cheng’s face softened. “May I have this dance?”

Xie Lian returned his smile. “I’d be delighted.”

They took to the dance floor, dancing together so naturally no one would ever know they hadn’t ever danced together before. Everyone was in awe, enraptured with their dance. But there were some who were less than pleased among the audience.

“You seem tense.” Hua Cheng observed.

“Jun Wu and Qi Rong are here.” Xie Lian replied softly. “It’s only a matter of time before they realise I’m here.”

“That invitation was for you and you alone.” Hua Cheng said as they span around in a wide circle, “Stealing an invitation from a guest and using it to enter an event is a punishable offence.”

Xie Lian looked visibly relieved.

Hua Cheng smiled. “He’s in my domain now. He’ll want to tread lightly if he doesn’t want to die.”

“Thank you.”

“Anything for you, gege.” Hua Cheng said softly.

Xie Lian couldn’t help but notice some jealous looks he was getting, and smiled with amusement.

“What’s caught your attention when you could be looking at me?” Hua Cheng sulked.

“Your admirers.” He admitted.

“Oh.”

“You don’t sound too happy about that.” Xie Lian said.

“They frustrate me.” Hua Cheng replied as they span around again.

“I don’t think they’ll be bothering you after tonight.” Xie Lian hummed.

Hua Cheng’s visible eye darkened with something Xie Lian couldn’t name, making his face heat up. There was a sudden tension between them that he couldn’t begin to describe, his pulse racing beneath his skin that suddenly felt too hot.

“Are you insinuating something?” Hua Cheng asked with amusement.

“I…you gave me a ring.”

“I did.”

“Did I…misunderstand?”

“No.”

Xie Lian let out a sigh of relief.

Their dance slowed to a stop. Hua Cheng squeezed Xie Lian’s hand, offering him some comfort. “I’d never trick you like that, gege.”

Xie Lian smiled. “I know.”

Hua Cheng leant in, “Jun Wu and your cousin are approaching.”

“My, my. Xie Lian, to think you were having such relations with the prince…how improper of you.” Jun Wu’s voice carried throughout the hall.

Xie Lian turned around. “What’s improper about it?” He asked, “It’s not unusual to be romantically involved before getting engaged, or married.”

“This is a ball for him to find his betrothed.” Jun Wu replied.

“That I was personally invited to, and you and Qi Rong were not. I believe you took my invitation for yourselves, correct? It wouldn’t be the first time you two benefitted from my name.”

Jun Wu’s mouth twitched at the corner.

Hua Cheng stood at Xie Lian’s side. “If you think you can walk in here and slander Xie Lian the way you’ve been doing his entire life, then you’re sorely mistaken. Unfortunately for you, I’ve done an extensive investigation into your background and dug up some rather interesting information. Not to mention Qi Rong’s crimes against the crown.”

“Well, you’re smarter than most give you credit for.” Jun Wu sneered.

“A shame the same can’t be said about you.” Hua Cheng retorted. “You’re under arrest for crimes against the crown-and murder.”

Palace guards took him by the arms, putting him in heavy chains before taking him away.

Qi Rong, who was also being arrested, protested loudly, swearing at the guards.

Xie Lian winced and Hua Cheng covered his ears to spare him.

Once they were gone, Hua Cheng lowered his hands, resting one on Xie Lian’s lower back.

“We apologise for the disruption just now. Please enjoy your evening.” He said, before leading Xie Lian away from the centre of the room towards the stairs.

“Where are you taking me?” Xie Lian asked curiously.

“I’d like you to meet someone, if that’s okay?”

“Your parents?” Xie Lian asked curiously.

“Yes.”

Xie Lian smiled. “I’d love to meet them.”

Xie Lian felt his heart start to race as they approached the small room where Hua Cheng’s parents were. It was an area high up, overseeing the ballroom so they could see everything happening.

Hua Cheng squeezed his hand and gave him a smile, then told the attendant to announce their arrival. A moment later, the curtain was parted for them. Hua Cheng led Xie Lian inside, where two people were sitting. One, a woman with long wavy raven black hair and a pair of hazel coloured eyes, wearing a beautiful ruby red gown with black lace embellishments and a heavy diamond choker with matching earrings.

The man next to her bore a striking resemblance to Hua Cheng, though he was much older, and his hair lighter. His eyes were dark, the same as Hua Cheng’s, and he wore a dark suit and dress coat with a ruby red vest to match his wife.

“Hua Cheng,” his father began, “Is this the one who you were talking about?”

He sounded curious.

“Yes, father. This is Xie Lian. Xie Lian, these are my parents.”

Xie Lian gave a polite bow.

“Oh, please rise, dear.” The queen spoke kindly. “I’ve been so eager to meet the person my son cares about most. He speaks of you often.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” Xie Lian smiled. “San Lang has been looking after me for a while, I realise. I hope I can do the same for him.”

“I think he’d rather die before letting you do that.” The king sighed.

Hua Cheng scoffed.

“Hua Cheng told us about your stepfather, and what he tried to do.” The queen said, eyes full of sympathy. “I’m very sorry. Did he hurt you?”

Xie Lian thought back to when he was almost forced to sign the contract, and again to earlier that day, having been locked in his room with nothing to eat.

With that reminder, he suddenly felt weak.

“Gege? What’s wrong?” Hua Cheng asked.

“Ah…Sorry. I haven’t eaten today.”

“Goodness…” the queen gasped.

“Why haven’t you eaten? Did he ban you from eating?” Hua Cheng frowned, looking murderous.

“He locked me in my room.” Xie Lian explained.

Hua Cheng wondered how he was still standing.

“Well, don’t let us keep you.” The king said.

Hua Cheng took Xie Lian’s hand and tugged. Xie Lian looked back and forth between Hua Cheng and his parents, worried that he’d be rude leaving so suddenly, but the queen just smiled as she waved goodbye, looking utterly delighted.

He felt better after eating something. Hua Cheng looked worried, though.

“You don’t need to look so worried, San Lang. I’m not hurt.”

“He locked you in your room and starved you, gege.”

“It’s not the first time he’s done it.” Xie Lian said softly.

Hua Cheng’s expression looked pained. “How many times…?”

“It happened a lot while I was a teenager.” Xie Lian replied, drawing circles with his finger on the tables surface.

“I’ll kill him.”

“No! He’s not worth the effort. Let him rot in a jail cell.” Xie Lian stopped him, grabbing both of his hands with his own.

“You’re right, gege.” Hua Cheng smiled. “He can have a taste of his own medicine.”

Xie Lian sighed. “What will I do with you, San Lang?”

“Nothing?” Hua Cheng chuckled.

Xie Lian laughed.

“Did you want to return to the ball, San Lang?” Xie Lian asked after some time.

“No. They’re all nosy and obnoxious, though they mean well most of the time.”

“It seems like they all genuinely care about you.” Xie Lian smiled. “I’m glad.”

“I think you mean they’re scared of me, gege, but thank you.”

“Scared of you? But you’re so kind.” Xie Lian furrowed his brow.

“Gege is the exception. I really don’t care about anyone else.”

“That’s such a lie.” Xie Lian laughed.

Together they walked hand in hand through the palace. Hua Cheng gave an explanation on some of the history behind some of the paintings and artworks on display, the stories all interesting to Xie Lian who found their history fascinating.

Then, they arrived outside Hua Cheng’s bedroom. It had double doors made of ebony with intricately carved patterns on its surface, that pushed open to reveal a room decorated in reds and deep browns. There was a chandelier hanging from the roof with more of the central butterfly designs the royal family was known for, beautiful and delicate and made of crystal.

“Come in, gege.”

Xie Lian blushed as he stepped inside, looking around the room curiously.

Hua Cheng took the cloak from his shoulders, folding it carefully and setting it down on a nearby seat along with his own.

Xie Lian squeaked with surprise when he felt Hua Cheng grab hold of him from behind in an embrace. His face softened, though, as Hua Cheng buried his face in his shoulder.

“I’ve been wanting to do this all night.”

“Hug me from behind?” Xie Lian asked, knowing the answer.

Hua Cheng smiled against his neck and lightly bit the skin between his teeth. Xie Lian gasped.

“Hold you.” He answered. “Maybe a little more.”

Xie Lian turned around in his hold to face him, feeling rather shy. “If that’s the case, you could start with a kiss.”

Hua Cheng smiled and leaned in, gently slipping his hand around the base of his skull to tip his head up. Their lips pressed together, locking together perfectly like two pieces of the same puzzle. Hua Cheng pulled him closer against him, their lips moving against each other in a sensual dance. Xie Lian gripped Hua Cheng’s shoulders, gasping when he felt him bite his lip. Hua Cheng took the chance, deepening the kiss between them.

Xie Lian moaned, sliding his hand around to grip some of Hua Cheng’s hair and tugged. Hua Cheng gripped his hips as he groaned softly, kissing him harder.

They parted when they were both breathless, cheeks dusted pink as they stared at each other for a long moment.

“San Lang…” Xie Lian whispered.

“Is it alright if I take this off?” Hua Cheng asked softly, referring to his dress coat.

Xie Lian blushed, and nodded.

Slowly, Hua Cheng unbuttoned Xie Lian’s coat, starting with the collar and moved downward one by one. Then, he slid the coat off of his shoulders, tossing it on the couch beside them.

Hua Cheng was about to start on his own when Xie Lian stopped him, making him raise his brow in surprise.

“Let me. Please?”

Hua Cheng smiled, “Who am I to deny my beloved?”

Xie Lian felt himself smile as he reached out and began unbuttoning his coat, taking his time with each button, until it was completely undone and he could push it off of Hua Cheng’s shoulders. Hua Cheng deposited his coat on the couch just like he did with Xie Lian’s, then turned back to Xie Lian, reaching out and starting on his vest. While one hand worked on the buttons, his other came up to cup his cheek, his thumb running along Xie Lian’s bottom lip before daring to slip inside his mouth. Xie Lian moaned as Hua Cheng pressed down on his tongue, the very sight of his lips around his thumb sending heat through his veins.

He removed his thumb from Xie Lian’s mouth, a string of saliva attached, and moved to help him out of his vest.

Once he dropped the vest on the couch, he backed Xie Lian further into the room toward the bed.

“San Lang, your clothes,” Xie Lian said weakly.

“What about them?” He asked.

“Ah…you aren’t going to…?” Xie Lian trailed off before the back of his knees hit the edge of the bed and he fell backward with Hua Cheng following, pinning him to the bed.

“What? Take my clothes off?” Hua Cheng smiled.

Xie Lian felt his face heat up.

“I think we should start with yours, gege.” Hua Cheng said.

Xie Lian hid his face in his arm, turning it to the side, making Hua Cheng laugh softly. “Gege, don’t hide.”

He added, “If you won’t let me see your pretty face, I’ll have no choice.”

“Those are just words.” Xie Lian mumbled, until he felt his lips against his neck, lightly sucking marks along the visible skin.

“Oh, my god.” Xie Lian gasped, curling his fingers through Hua Cheng’s hair and tugging.

Hua Cheng pulled back, admiring his work and smiled, pleased.

He untied the cravat secured around Xie Lian’s neck before starting on the buttons of his shirt, undoing them slowly one by one as he held his gaze.

“What was that about just words?” He asked.

“You’re a bully.” Xie Lian huffed.

“I haven’t even gotten started, gege.” Hua Cheng said, smiling mischievously.

“Then it’s even more true.”

Hua Cheng laughed.

Xie Lian reached out and unbuttoned Hua Cheng’s vest, helping him out of it, then reached up for his cravat and untied it for him, before starting on his buttons. Soon his pale throat, and then his chest and abdomen were revealed.

Hua Cheng smiled at the way Xie Lian stared, and watched as he swallowed

“You can touch.”

Xie Lian looked shy as he reached out and placed his hand over Hua Cheng’s heart, feeling it beat beneath his palm. Then, he slowly moved his hand down, feeling the muscles beneath his skin and the strength behind them.

Hua Cheng was surprised when Xie Lian suddenly moved to sit up, forcing him to shift back and sit in Xie Lian’s lap instead.

“Well, this is a surprise.”

Xie Lian pouted. “I need to get your shirt off somehow.” He said as he pushed the fabric off of his shoulders.

“Gege, I didn’t know you were so bold.” Hua Cheng teased. “Goodness.”

“What’s wrong with wanting to see my beloved?” Xie Lian asked softly. “All of you.”

He gently cupped the side of Hua Cheng’s face he wore the eye patch on, tracing the bottom edge with his thumb.

“It’s ugly.” Hua Cheng murmured quietly.

“What matters is you, not the state of you.” Xie Lian said softly.

Hua Cheng let out a soft sigh, then reached behind his head and untied his eyepatch. He removed it, revealing a ruby red iris.

Xie Lian smiled, cupping the side of his face as he caressed his cheek. “It’s a beautiful colour. You said you couldn’t see out of it, right?”

He nodded. “I’m partially blind in that eye.”

“I’m really sorry to hear that.” Xie Lian said softly before leaning in and kissing him above his eye.

“Gege…”

Xie Lian pulled him into another kiss, shrugging out of his own shirt that Hua Cheng took and tossed across the room before pushing him down into the sheets. He kissed Xie Lian breathless, his hands roaming across his skin.

“San Lang,” Xie Lian gasped, desperate for some kind of friction.

Hua Cheng undid the buttons on Xie Lian’s pants, all while looking him in the eye. “Have you ever come before?”

“I-what?” Xie Lian asked, flustered.

“I’m asking if you’ve had an orgasm, gege.”

Xie Lian’s face was red. “No, I haven’t.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that.” Hua Cheng assured him. “Is it okay if I give you one?”

Xie Lian nodded shyly.

Hua Cheng removed his pants, followed by his own, and joined him back on the bed. Xie Lian’s face turned bright red as he tried not to think of Hua Cheng’s size and if it would fit.

But something cool interrupted his thoughts as he felt Hua Cheng wrap a slick hand around his hard cock, causing him to elicit a sudden moan. Hua Cheng stroked slowly, moving his hand up and down as he watched Xie Lian’s reactions. Xie Lian gripped Hua Cheng’s shoulders and moaned softly, thrusting his hips up into Hua Cheng’s hand.

“Fuck,” Hua Cheng swore as he continued to stroke Xie Lian’s cock.

Xie Lian gasped and moaned and desperately held onto Hua Cheng, pleasure building in his abdomen with each stroke. Xie Lian’s chest rose and fell in quick succession as he became overwhelmed with pleasure, his cheeks flushed pink.

“San Lang,” he moaned softly, “Please.”

“Shh gege, let it happen.” Hua Cheng murmured.

Xie Lian wrapped his arms around Hua Cheng’s shoulders, burying his face in his neck as Hua Cheng brought him toppling over the edge of the precipice. Xie Lian moaned in his ear and tugged on his hair, earning a growl in response.

“How does gege feel?” Hua Cheng asked.

“I would have thought you’d noticed that.” Xie Lian flushed bright red.

Hua Cheng chuckled. “Just making sure you enjoyed it.”

“Very much so.” Xie Lian said quietly.

“Shall we continue?” Hua Cheng asked.

“Yes,” he replied, “If you’d like to.”

“Oh love,” Hua Cheng laughed softly, “You have no idea the things I want to do to you.”

Xie Lian raised his brow, “I think I have some idea.”

Hua Cheng smiled as he slid a hand beneath Xie Lian’s knee and lifted it. “I wonder if you’ll still say the same when I’m done with you.”

Xie Lian opened his mouth to retort, but moaned as Hua Cheng found a particularly sensitive spot beneath his ear and sucked.

“I’m sorry, were you going to say something, gege?” Hua Cheng teased as he pulled back after leaving a purple bruise.

He whined. Hua Cheng chuckled and kissed him softly, lingering for a moment, before parting.

He parted his legs instead, then reached over and opened the top draw of his bedside dresser, pulling out a vial of oil.

Xie Lian looked visibly confused.

“It makes the slide easier.” Hua Cheng explained.

“Oh.”

“Tell me if it hurts, okay?”

“Okay,” Xie Lian replied.

“I’m going to open you up with my fingers first.”

Xie Lian turned bright red, and then an even darker shade when he felt the first oil covered finger circling his rim. He gasped as he felt the tip of his finger breach his entrance, slowly pushing inside and pulling out, then pressing back in again.

It felt strange, a little uncomfortable, but it didn’t hurt.

“How do you feel, gege?”

“I’m okay.” Xie Lian replied, blushing, “It feels a little strange.”

Hua Cheng pulled his finger out in favour of adding a second one, the stretch more intense. He continued to move his fingers back and forth, stroking his warm walls as he searched for a particularly sensitive spot.  He knew he’d found it when Xie Lian cried out in ecstasy.

He added a third finger, and then a fourth. Carefully stretching him open, teasing his sensitive spot until Xie Lian was begging him for release.

Hua Cheng pulled his fingers out in favour of picking up the vial again, pouring the oil on his hand.

Xie Lian watched as he slicked up his cock, blushing as he did so.

“Do you like what you see, gege?”

Xie Lian hid his face as he answered. “-es.”

“Hm?”

“Yes!”

Hua Cheng’s eyes widened in surprise, and then he smiled with delight as he pushed Xie Lian’s legs up toward his chest. “Good.”

He positioned himself at Xie Lian’s entrance,  curling his fingers together with Xie Lian’s as he did. Then, he pushed inside slowly.

Xie Lian gripped Hua Cheng’s hands, arching his neck back as he felt Hua Cheng slowly slide home.

“Gege,” Hua Cheng moaned softly as he bottomed out, leaning his forehead against Xie Lian’s.

Xie Lian caught his lips in a chaste kiss before parting and looking him. “Please start moving.”

Hua Cheng pulled his hips back and thrust forward, gentle and slow and overwhelming.

Xie Lian gasped his name in pleasure, moaned against his ear and wrapped his legs around his waist in a desperate attempt to keep him inside forever.

“San Lang,” Xie Lian moaned Hua Cheng’s name, and he squeezed his hands in response.

“Gege,” he whispered, rolling his hips against Xie Lian’s. They caught each other’s lips, kissing softly and passionately.

“San Lang, I-“

“Shh,” Hua Cheng nuzzled him affectionately and reached between them with one hand, wrapping his fingers around Xie Lian’s leaking cock and started stroking in time with each thrust.

“Ah!” Xie Lian cried out, overwhelmed by pleasure, and wrapped his arm around Hua Cheng’s shoulders in a desperate attempt to mold their bodies together.

With each stroke and thrust, the pleasure intensified in his gut, like a coil winding tighter and tighter.

Xie Lian cried out as he came, vision going black as he saw stars. Hua Cheng’s thrusts became erratic and stilted, and Xie Lian gasped as Hua Cheng bit his shoulder as he came, spilling inside Xie Lian.

They both breathed heavily, wrapped in each other’s arms on the bed. Hua Cheng kissed him softly, then parted, lying beside Xie Lian in their tangled limbs.

He ran his fingers over the necklace around Xie Lian’s neck, smiling to himself.

“What are you thinking, San Lang?”

“I was just thinking…I’ve given you the ring, and the implication is there, but I haven’t asked you properly.” Hua Cheng confessed.

Xie Lian laughed softly. “You don’t need to. The answer is yes anyway.” He kissed him, then parted to look at him.

Hua Cheng hugged him close. “I love you.”

“I love you too, San Lang.”

“Will you go back to the manor tomorrow?” Hua Cheng asked softly. “I’ll go with you.”

Xie Lian nodded. “I need to find my mother’s belongings. I…I think I’ll sell the manor.”

Hua Cheng looked sympathetic. “That must be difficult for you gege, despite everything you’ve been through.”

“It is.” He admitted, “It’s where my mother cared for me during the time we had together, even if it was brief.”

“That’s understandable gege. It holds your memories. No one can fault you for that.” Hua Cheng said softly. “Let’s get some sleep.”

Xie Lian nodded and shuffled closer to him, happy to be held. Hua Cheng grabbed the blankets and pulled them up over their bodies, then pulled Xie Lian closer as he lay back down.

“Good night, gege.”

“Good night, San Lang.”

For the first time since he was a child, Xie Lian slept soundly through the night without issue. He woke in the morning well past the usual time he’d wake, which was a surprise.

He was wrapped in warm arms, something that brought a smile to his face.

“Good morning, gege.” Hua Cheng greeted softly.

“Good morning, San Lang.” Xie Lian replied sleepily.

Hua Cheng kissed him above the eye. “How are you feeling? Are you sore at all?”

Still half asleep, Xie Lian didn’t understand the question at first. “What? No? This bed is more comfortable than the one I had back in the attic.”

Hua Cheng snorted. “I’m not talking about the bed, though I’m relieved to hear the mattress is to your liking.”

“What? Oh. Oh.” Xie Lian turned red and rolled over, away from Hua Cheng.

“Gege, don’t be like that.” Hua Cheng wrapped his arm around his waist and pulled him close.

“I just want to know if you need anything to help with pain.” He added.

“I feel fine.” Xie Lian mumbled.

“Are you being honest?” Hua Cheng sounded sceptical.

“Yes! Nothing hurts.”

“…oh?”

Xie Lian froze at the sound of Hua Cheng’s voice, who seemed very much interested.

“Is that so?”

“…San Lang?” Xie Lian shivered as Hua Cheng bit the shell of his ear.

“We still have some time before we have to get up. I don’t see why we can’t have a little fun.”

“San Lang, don’t tell me you had an entire wardrobe made just for me.” Xie Lian said when they got out of the bath, ready to get dressed.

“Of course I did. I wasn’t going to let you wear your old clothes from the manor again…unless you want to?”

“I really don’t want to wear them again, no.” Xie Lian admitted. “But this must have been expensive.”

“It’s alright.” Hua Cheng smiled, “You’re to be my consort. You’re allowed these things.”

“Ah…” Xie Lian blinked, as though he just realised that fact himself.

Once they were both dressed, and had eaten breakfast, they left for the Xie Family Manor. The carriage ride was relatively peaceful as Xie Lian watched the scenery pass by, his anxiety twisting knots in his stomach. Hua Cheng squeezed his hand comfortingly.

“What will you do about the workers?” Hua Cheng asked.

“I’ll give them letters of referral, so they can find work. I wouldn’t want them to be out of a job because of me.” Xie Lian murmured.

Hua Cheng nodded. “That’s what you were preparing before we left?”

Xie Lian nodded.

They arrived at the manor, finding some staff had already left, while most had stayed. Xie Lian walked through the halls one final time no longer as a servant, but as the master of the house.

“Young Master,”

Xie Lian turned to face the house keeper, and gave her a warm smile. “Madam Housekeeper. Thank you for looking after me all these years.”

“It’s the least I could do for your mother.” She replied, “If only she could see you today.”

Xie Lian stepped forward and held out an envelope. “This is for you, so you can find another job after I leave.”

“Thank you, Young Master.”

Xie Lian smiled and continued through the house. “It’s going to take a long time going through everything, but I think Jun Wu got rid of most of my parents belongings. He didn’t like being reminded of them.”

“I’m sorry, gege. He deserves to rot in hell for what he did to you.”

“He’s in a dungeon with some rats, which to him is the same.” Xie Lian shrugged.

Hua Cheng laughed.

By the time Xie Lian finished up at the manor it was late afternoon. They returned to the palace together, which for Xie Lian felt strange.

“So…what now?” Xie Lian asked, looking out the window up at the palace.

“Oh, don’t you know?” Hua Cheng asked with a smile.

Xie Lian looked at him with some confusion.

“Well, I imagine my mother is planning our wedding as we speak. Naturally every noble house in the entire kingdom will be invited.”

“I’d like to get to know your parents better. They seem like kind people, San Lang.”

“There’s plenty of time for that. Mother wants to have dinner with us tonight. My father might have time to join if he gets out of his meeting on time.” Hua Cheng smiled.

Xie Lian smiled back. “That sounds nice.”

And the carriage trundled along the road, leaving behind all the bad that had happened, and instead headed toward a brighter tomorrow.