Memories of the PalaceCh45 - The Autumn Hunt Part 5

The bonfire was a festive affair. Liquor flowed freely like rivers that filled cups to the brim, spilling itself onto the hands that held them. Smoke billowed around the slabs of meat held over the fire and flames licked at the cubes of fresh venison skewered on sticks. Above the crackle of the fire was laughter and the crude singing of vulgar songs better found in bars and brothels. The loudest among them, unsurprisingly, was Li Changyu.

Seated together, Li Jiuxing elbowed Jin Xiyan in the arm, “When did His Majesty get so…” Li Jiuxing’s loud whisper carried the strong stench of wine. His Brother-in-law’s hand shook side to side, “…you know? Not so stiff?” YCD5Wv

“I do not know…” Jin Xiyan guessed that their brief interactions were a stark contradiction to the “Emperor” they were seeing now. Li Changyu had his arm draped around one of the Cousin-in-laws that joined the party, singing along with them. To offer a possible cover story, he offered, “Maybe the liquor helps?”

Truthfully, Li Changyu didn’t appear drunk – just jovial and excited. Jin Xiyan’s original body could tolerate alcohol quite well. Under his watchful eye he hadn’t seen Li Changyu consume more than 5 cups, which was well under the limit for himself.

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“Thas prob-ab-blee it,” Li Jiuxing slurred with an affirmative nod that was strong enough to shake his ponytail. “Here!” he shouted and pushed a bowl of wine into Jin Xiyan’s hands, sloashing some of the liquor onto them. ”You could do with some too!”

“Ah-ah-ah…” Li Guangzhu chided them with a tsk and came up from behind them. He plucked the bowl from Li Jiuxing and tilted his head back to gulp down the contents. He let out a gruff ah! and kept the bowl. “It’s better if Baby Brother doesn’t drink.” 6cXujl

Jin Xiyan shook his hands out, a bit disturbed by the sudden stickiness. He scrunched his nose, unsure what to do. Would Li Changyu just…wipe it off his shirt? He was rescued once more by Li Guangzhu when he dropped a cloth into his lap, then wedged himself between them and sat down. Jin Xiyan hurriedly wiped his hands on the rag as he scooted over to make room.

“Guangzhuuu…” Li Jiuxing drawled, his face fixed into a scowl. “Just because Baby Brother gets a little punchy when he’s drunk doesn’t mean he’d start something with His Majesty present.”

A little? Jin Xiyan huffed audibly and rolled his eyes. When he’d last seen Li Changyu drink, it was their second attempt at a wedding night. The man had been a menace! A phantom pain blossomed along his neck when he recalled their first night, and he rubbed the side of it to ease the ache.

“A little my ass,” Li Guangzhu shared a bit of Jin Xiyan’s sentiment. The man snorted and arched his brow. “You gave five men black eyes the last time, didn’t you Ch–”

Li Guangzhu had turned his head to address him, but he stopped as soon as they made eye contact. The man let his sentence hang, awkwardly gaping his mouth until he snapped it shut and whirled back to the middle Li Son.

“Why are you even drinking? You’re supposed to be monitoring the Fifth Prince.”

That distracted him from the idea of Li Changyu punching five gentlemen. “Jin Ai?”

Li Guangzhu paused, once again looking a bit put off, but he elaborated. “His Majesty thought that His Royal Brother looked…suspicious.” t6rgda

“Mn,” Li Jiuxing bobbed his head in an exaggerated manner just like before. “But ev’ryting is all good. His Highness already went to bed.” Li Jiuxing pointed a finger at Li Guangzhu. “I did muh duty. Aiya!”

Li Jiuxing cried out and ducked down. His Father, Li Beidou, had slammed his fist on the top of his Son’s head.

Li Beidou harrumphed, “You must have been away from the military camp too long if you’ve become this lazy!”

Jin Xiyan covered his own mouth, and Li Guangzhu covered his laugh with a snort and cough. The aggrieved Son rubbed his head, a pitiful whine in his voice. cgAYoR

“Papa, what was that for? Am I not your Son?!”

“No Son of mine shirks their duty. Now get!” Li Beidou pointed a finger over to Li Changyu.

“Yes, Sir!” answered Li Jiuxing, saluting automatically. He hopped up into a squat that Jin Xiyan was sure would make him topple over. Li Guangzhu had a palm out next to his Brother, looking intent on catching the man if he was unsteady. Li Jiuxing took a few large breaths and then let out a burp before popping up into a stand. Li Beidou shook his head and ran a hand over his face.

Swaying, the beefy man lifted his wine jar up to his eye and peered inside. A prominent pout stuck out, and he dropped the jar to the ground. BP0nqW

“More wine!” He shouted, and there was a roar of cheers that answered back from the other side. Li Jiuxing ran over to Li Changyu and flung his arms in the air, pumping his fists triumphantly. Li Changyu welcomed his Brother with arms wide open, shouting at him in a string of foreign words that brought the men to laughter, Li Jiuxing included.

Jin Xiyan frowned slightly, and his astute Brother-in-law read his mind. As Li Beidou sat down on the other side of Jin Xiyan, Li Guangzhu dropped his head down and whispered.

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“He already explained that “you” taught him to speak Northern, so diplomatic endeavors could go smoothly.” Clearing his throat with a cough, Li Guangzhu continued, “It is a bit of a stretch, but…”

“It works.” Jin Xiyan shrugged a shoulder and glanced back at Li Changyu. He watched his Wife entertain the guests while he spoke in hushed tones with the two Li’s. “Does he really suspect my Brother?” vobJzf

It was Li Guangzhu who answered first, “…Not to offend Your Majesty, but, it is fair to say that everyone is a suspect.”

He nodded at that. Jin Ai had never outright hurt anyone or been suspected of foul play, but he was a rude and philandering person. While he’d like to think his Brother wasn’t possibly behind all this, Jin Xiyan would have to admit that he would be on top of his own suspect list. Him being here was even more suspicious, since he wasn’t one to do any sport other than those in the gambling halls.

Li Beidou, in that Fatherly way of his, patted Jin Xiyan’s shoulder. “We do not have all the information, so we can’t be sure it is him. Don’t you worry just yet.”

“Mn,” Jin Xiyan nodded. It did not ease his suspicions against Jin Ai, but it warmed his heart that Li Beidou thought enough to try and soothe him. Jin Xiyan peered back at Li Changyu and he unconsciously spoke out loud. “Being with people must come naturally to him.” 9pdRzs

“Hmm?” Li Guangzhu quirked a brow then looked in the direction of Jin Xiyan’s gaze. “Him? Around people like us, sure, but he is awkward among other omegas.”

It took a second to understand what Li Guangzhu meant by us. Of course he meant alphas. Thinking about it further, it made a bit of sense. Li Changyu did not act like most omegas – that is, not like the ones in his Empire. To Li Beidou, he asked, “Why did you raise him so…” He struggled to find a polite word, “So…”

“Haaa…” Li Beidou sighed and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. The man watched Li Changyu for a moment before a rueful smile curled his lip, tugging at a scar on his chin.

“Well…my Wife and I’s reasons were both selfish and well-intentioned. First, it was because I was at a loss what to do. After ten months of waiting, with generations having alphas, suddenly a little omega was in my arms.” VYIwHb

Li Beidou turned his hands palm up and looked down at them. His eyes glimmered slightly against the firelight, his gaze unfocused like he was reliving a memory. Beside them, Li Guangzhu also listened intently. Perhaps he never heard this before either?

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

“I was never around any omegas, save for the Palace, but that was from afar. Yuyan…Yuyan had more experience, but Heaven’s bless her heart, she didn’t know what to do either.” Li Beidou chuckled and let his hands rest back down. “We were nervous for the first few months, then the first years, until he started to fight with his Brothers.”

“Fight, huh? That is what you want to call it?” It was Li Guangzhu who huffed now, the sound derisive but his smirk did not hide the warmth in his eyes. “He would bite and scratch like he was a tiger. When he got a wooden sword in hand, it was all downhill from there.”

Unbeknownst to Jin Xiyan, he too was also smiling. Li Changyu is not that much different from his current self, he mused. jgOb3B

Li Beidou wasn’t finished, however. “Before all that, when the Elder heard of his birth, there was no way to deny it. My Wife understood the fate of omegas the most, and so we were worried about what would happen.”

The fate of omegas…

He too was aware of it. His favorite Eldest Sister Jin Yuheng, an omega herself, was the one that clearly explained it to him when he was very young. In his mind’s eye, he recalled the shine of her black hair as it was meticulously combed by her maids. To him, she was as pretty as a Fairy.

“Big Sister, why do you have to go?” Jin Xiyan whined and clutched the long, flowing sleeve of his Sister’s robe. She said she was going far away now, and this meant that Jin Xiyan would lose one of the few friendly faces that existed within the Palace walls. 0yspO

“Yanyan, just as you have a duty, I have mine.” Her smile was kind, but it trembled. She covered his hands with one of her soft, elegant ones and carefully pulled her sleeve free. She then knelt down to be at his height. When they locked eyes, he began to cry.

“Shh, shh…Look at you.” She dabbed at his tears, but they kept flowing. Knowing that it was likely futile, she sighed and stopped. Her delicate scallion fingers brushed the stray bits of his hair away from his face.

Chrysanthemum Garden.

“Listen to me Yanyan. In Families and the Court, omegas are both the most important and disposable chess piece. All we can hope for is that our parents choose a Family well.”

It would take Jin Xiyan growing up to realize that she was in fact discarded. She was sent to marry into a Family instead of her Prince Consort moving into the Palace like others have. She would no longer be the Daughter of their Royal Family. He remembered the way her robes swayed when she walked away that final time. His Eldest Sister would never make it to the Family she was to marry into – her caravan was besieged by bandits and she died. NdFsMb

A familiar ache burned in the center of his chest. In his remembering, he hadn’t heard Li Beidou until mid-speech.

“…and so, the Elder agreed to let him choose his own fate.” The old man gave a firm, resolute nod. “It caused me to spoil him.”

Jin Xiyan’s lips twitched and he nodded as well. He wiped the back of his hand across his face and faked a yawn. He hoped he hid the tears that gathered at the edge of his eyes well enough. In the background, the crowd was merry. He glanced in their direction in time to see a spectacle.

“I drink alone atop Mount Guan, a lifetime in every swig!” The group sang loudly, this time in Dashan, and was led by a swaying Li Jiuxing with a cup in hand. “In the swirling snow, I toast to you brave hero!”* 5JHlDF

“Do you think–” Jin Xiyan cut himself off mid-question and he did a double take. There was Li Yunmeng, sitting beside Li Changyu. His eyes narrowed. The distant “Cousin” had been partially hidden from view before, but was now with his arm slung around Li Changyu’s shoulders. The two shared big smiles, laughing and singing.

Gone was the dull throb of bad memories and a bristling heat of anger (jealousy) took its place. Li Changyu claimed there wasn’t anything there, but how certain could he be of Li Changyu’s words? For all he knew, Li Changyu could be lying just to keep the peace. It was already inappropriate for Li Yunmeng to be touching the Emperor’s body, and though he could not have known that Li Changyu was in there, that bit of logic did not concern Jin Xiyan – the man was touching his Wife! His fist balled up in a tight squeeze.

Li! Yun! Meng!

“Your Majesty?” Li Beidou whispered. Jin Xiyan let a calm wash over his face to hide his killing intent, and he smiled at his Father-in-law. 50HruZ

“I am sorry, I just realized how tired I am. I will have to bid you both goodnight. I will leave first!”

Jin Xiyan sprung up onto his feet and was off before either of the other Li’s could respond. He skirted the bonfire, making his way towards Li Changyu. Jin Xiyan was aware of the pressure from the onlookers before he even glanced at the crowd. The laughter slowly died down, one by one people’s mouths closed as he made his approach. The last people laughing when he stopped a few feet shy of Li Changyu were Li Jiuxing, Li Yunmeng, and of course, Li Changyu. The first to stop was Li Yunmeng, his mouth snapping shut when he caught sight of him. Jin Xiyan’s sweet, drunken Brother-in-law was next, his own laughter dipping into a rapid series of hiccups.

“Ha-ha!…ha…ha?” Li Changyu looked around when silence fell. He pursed his lips into a very Li Changyu-like pout and glanced around. Jin Xiyan stood with his arms crossed until Li Changyu finally noticed him with a slight start. Quickly correcting himself, Li Changyu sat up straighter and cleared his throat.

“To what do I owe this pleasure, Your Highness?” Li Changyu asked in a smooth tone, his smile a tad indulgent. Jin Xiyan’s eyes lingered on Li Yunmeng’s hand that rested on Li Changyu’s shoulder. yxTUlh

“It is late,” he said briskly. “Zh–ah, er, this Wife believes it is time for bed.”

A low oooh went through the crowd. Eyebrows were raised and glances shared between the Royal Couple. Li Changyu’s foreigner relatives from Julong’s family whispered to one another, likely acting as translator to some, and perhaps gossiping. Li Jiuxing blinked, his eyes bulged wide, and another hiccup escaped.

The corner of Li Changyu’s lip twitched and he leaned forward, brushing Li Yunmeng’s hand off his shoulder as he leered at Jin Xiyan. Jin Xiyan stood up straighter and stuck out his chin.

Li Changyu huffed and his smirk broadened. “Really? And why should Zhen listen to you?” 89E5ci

Jin Xiyan’s teeth gnashed together. You know damn well why you should listen to me! “It is late, Your Majesty.”

“Late,” Li Changyu repeated. Then again, under his breath. “Late…oh!” Li Changyu perked up then clapped his hands. He looked to his pals and said, “Men, this Emperor knows what we have done wrong.”

Chrysanthemum Garden.

“…”

Everyone exchanged confused glances, then Li Changyu bobbed his head up and down. He stroked his chin like one would with a beard. zEifMb

“This Emperor has performed dutifully as your Leader…” At Li Changyu’s words, people nodded in agreement. Li Changyu placed a hand over his heart. “…but as a Husband, Zhen has not been attentive.”

“!!!”

This was the moment that Li Jiuxing’s alcohol glazed brain started to collect itself. He rubbed his eyes, the voices around him sounded less muffled like they were under water. Li Jiuxing watched his Brother and his Brother-in-law…Emperor-in-law?

Jin Xiyan’s temper rose and he stomped his foot. “Li–!!!” He successfully caught himself, purposefully biting the inside of his own cheek to prevent himself from slipping. Li Changyu let out a roar of a laugh that others tentatively joined in. The tension was very palpable – it was a buzz like the still air before lightning would strike. Jcsv4b

“Zhen planned to be easy on Your Highness, on account of your injuries, but it appears that you will not be happy until you have had your fill.”

The bawdy laughter was strained. Who would they exactly side with? Li Jiuxing’s mouth dropped open, appalled at the Emperor’s own words. He waited for his Little Brother to retaliate, but nothing happened!

Jin Xiyan stewed, glaring daggers at Li Changyu. Li Changyu just sneered back at him before rising up to stand. The movement caught everyone off guard, especially Jin Xiyan. Suddenly Li Changyu was towering over him and the light caught the purple of his own eyes in a way that made them glow.

Then, without any warning, Li Changyu grabbed Jin Xiyan’s arm and bent forward. He pushed his shoulder into Jin Xiyan’s abdomen and hoisted him full bodied over it. Jin Xiyan’s feet kicked in the air as he dangled over the shoulder. MhddoR

Flailing, Jin Xiyan cried out, “Wha-what!? Let go of me!”

Li Changyu swatted his ass, not lightly at all, and laughed. He turned around, making Jin Xiyan’s vision spin, and spoke up louder.

“Apologies, men! It looks like I have other duties to ful-fill.” He said, followed by another smack on Jin Xiyan’s stinging ass.

The innuendo was enough to heat Jin Xiyan’s cheeks. Still sore from being thrown around by the horse, he couldn’t put up much of a fight except to bang his fists against Li Changyu’s back. 3dWVNL

Li Jiuxing, however, could not let this stand. Everything his Mother had said about the Emperor was right! He was a filthy, rotten scoundrel! Damned if Li Changyu was suddenly favored, because Li Jiuxing would not tolerate this. Be it the alcohol flooding his system or his righteous protectiveness over his Little Brother, his control of his behavior was…not the best. Li Jiuxing pushed his sleeves up to his elbows, baring his thick forearms and prepared to stand. Luckily, the relatives nearby were quick to subdue the beefier man.

“Ey! That is the Emperor!” One whispered.

“Calm down!” Said another.

While many scrambled to suppress the biggest of the Li Brothers, some people were quick to bid the Emperor farewell. They bowed low and cupped hands to Li Changyu. Xhoetb

A chorus of Long live his Majesty! echoed behind them as Li Changyu walked off, carrying Jin Xiyan like this over his shoulder the whole way. Jin Xiyan stopped struggling midway, laying limp now. Li Changyu hummed a cheerful tune as he wove through the paths between the tents to get to the most central one, which was also the biggest.

When Li Changyu parted the tent flap and stepped through, he flinched. Jin Xiyan, seeing an opportunity, wriggled to get himself out of Li Changyu’s grasp when he was let go. There was enough moonlight that filtered in from the gap in the tent flaps and from one single candle that he could see Li Changyu holding his head with one hand. His face was partially illuminated, revealing his pained expression. Remembering his illness, Jin Xiyan quickly moved to remedy the situation. He felt his way around to gather a candle that was next to the lit one, and used that flame to light the second.

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“What’re you doin?” Li Changyu muttered, watching him with a squint.

“It’s the light,” he explained. Luckily, he found a much brighter lamp, and lit that as well before hanging it on a support beam. He wiped his hands against his shirt when he finished setting it in place. “You were by the fire, where it was very bright. Suddenly going into a darker space can aggravate my condition. Sudden brightness can, too.” DfFo7h

Li Changyu wordlessly watched him for a moment before grunting out what sounded like it could be a thank you. He lumbered over to the bed, to which Jin Xiyan grabbed Li Changyu’s elbow to help him towards it. Li Changyu sat down on it with a thud and bent forward to where his head was practically between his knees.

Frowning, Jin Xiyan’s previous anger evaporated. He had not thought about his own condition in quite some time, in part because he was now used to not being in such frequent pain anymore. He hadn’t thought about how Li Changyu may have been suffering from it. As someone with first hand experience, he wouldn’t have wished his headaches on anyone.

Jin Xiyan sat down next to Li Changyu and lightly rubbed on the back of his neck, which had become clammy. Li Changyu chuckled lightly.

“At least you’re not lecturing me that it was from the drinking.” TsG1hL

He shook his head, even though Li Changyu couldn’t see it. “I can hold my liquor better than you.”

Li Changyu let out a rather undignified snort. He sat up now, but his eyes were still closed and there was a vein that bulged with a slight throb at one of his temples. Jin Xiyan remembered that Su Ao was with them, so he surely must have packed some things for just such an occasion.

“Where did Su Ao put the trunk?”

Li Changyu motioned at their feet, which momentarily confused Jin Xiyan. Looking down, he saw the small trunk was actually tucked under the bed. He slid off it onto his knees and nudged Li Changyu’s legs aside to pull it out. He opened it and inside was the small incense burner with a bit of the tranquility formula that matched the one from his Royal Grandmother’s tea that she would often send him. In fact, packed along with the burner and incense was a small tea box filled with the very kind. B1W6pJ

I will brew some for Li Changyu later, he said to himself. He gathered up the incense burner and set it on a side table. It took no time for smoke to billow up, and he set the top on it so the medicinal smoke could gather into the air at a slow, therapeutic pace.

Li Changyu was, thankfully, still upright, but his head tilted back and he took in several deep breaths. Jin Xiyan slipped back next to him and patted his own lap. Li Changyu didn’t make a move, so he patted his thighs a little louder now. Frowning, Li Changyu cracked open a single eye to look down at him.

“What are you doing?”

“Lay your head down here,” he said, emphasizing his words with yet another pat. Li Changyu’s brow arched so high it nearly met his hairline, which made Jin Xiyan frown. Still, he persisted. “I know my headaches very well, and if I can help alleviate the pain, I will.” PfKNH4

The pause that followed was, well…awkward. Li Changyu’s face flipped back and forth from relieved to reluctant. His impatience returning, Jin Xiyan reached up and grabbed the left nearest collar of Li Changyu’s robes and pulled him down. Li Changyu fell to his side, head landing square in Jin Xiyan’s lap. Jin Xiyan ignored the glare that Li Changyu cast him and smoothed out his robe back into place.

“Lie on your back, and remain quiet.” His Wife did turn to lay on his back, but he opened his mouth, which Jin Xiyan promptly held a finger to. “Be quiet. All you have to do is breathe deeply and relax.”

Li Changyu closed his mouth, pleasing Jin Xiyan. He gently undid the gold crown pinning Li Changyu’s hair up into a bun and set it aside on the bed. Then, he combed his fingers through it to let it hang loosely over his legs and the bed, making sure to trace the tips of his fingers along the scalp. Just from that tiny amount of work, Li Changyu let out a long, drawn out hum that suspiciously sounded like a moan. Jin Xiyan smirked to himself.

Silly boy. enO7zx

Jin Xiyan carefully brushed his fingers along Li Changyu’s forehead in a featherlight massage, caressing them down the sides of Li Changyu’s face and down his jaw. He hoped that he was doing a good enough job, because he had only been a recipient of such a massage and never performed it before. He kneaded three fingers on each side into small circles that he drew back up to the top of Li Changyu’s head. Jin Xiyan knew that the massage was working by Li Changyu’s relaxed brow and slightly parted lips. His breathing had steadied into a calm, even breath.

“Are you feeling better?”

Chrysanthemum Garden.

“En.”

Good. Jin Xiyan could sigh in relief. “I am sorry that you have to suffer.” HkaCtj

Li Changyu’s lips barely moved as he mumbled. “Not your fault.”

“It is. Because of all this, you have to deal with my headaches.”

Li Changyu’s lips twisted into a stubborn line, but he did not respond. Jin Xiyan massaged light circles into Li Changyu’s temples and brushed his hair again with his fingers. This treatment carried on for a little bit, but it wasn’t that long until Li Changyu mumbled again.

“Hey? Where did you even learn this stuff? You really know what you are doing.” QVJEcH

Hmph! See if Li Yunmeng could even do this! Inside, Jin Xiyan preened.

“Thank you for the praise. Usually when I have a headache, Qin Yuze will massage me like thi—!”

As fast as a snake’s strike, Li Changyu seized Jin Xiyan’s wrist in hand and his eyes flew open. Jin Xiyan froze, first startled by the motion and then the strength of Li Changyu’s grip. He covered his other hand over Li Changyu’s, pushing on it.

“Li Changyu, that hurts!” 1isMS8

Just as quickly, Li Changyu released him, and he sat up abruptly. He hissed and pressed the heel of a palm against his forehead as he did. Jin Xiyan touched his shoulder, wanting to settle him back down, but the cold stare that he was met with when Li Changyu looked at him chilled him to the bone. Jin Xiyan slowly retracted his hand, suddenly at a loss. Weren’t things going well?

This had been the closest he’d been physically with Li Changyu since…well, since a very long time. Even though they were in the wrong bodies, it still was something. This was also the most he’d see Li Changyu be more himself. Gone was the smiling, cheerful fool; he’d been replaced by that same shuttered expression he’d seen Li Changyu have on the twins’ birthday.

Li Changyu turned his head away and stood up without so much as a word. Frustrated, Jin Xiyan pressed his clenched fists against his thighs. Li Changyu dragged his feet as he walked around, gathering a pillow from the bed and tossing it to the ground.

“What is wrong?” d3Ds24

Li Changyu looked everywhere but at him as he spoke, “I’m getting ready for bed.”

“Then I should leave, so that you may relax.”

“You aren’t going anywhere.” Li Changyu grunted and proceeded to lay down on the ground. He laid on his back and tucked his hands behind his head as he relaxed against the pillow.

Jin Xiyan frowned. It didn’t look particularly comfortable on the ground. “Why not?” fPnx95

“Your Majesty, I am sure that you don’t want your reputation tarnished. What would it look like for Zhen’s precious little Wife to go back to their tent in the middle of the night?”

A fresh wave of heat stung Jin Xiyan’s cheeks at the reminder of Li Changyu’s shameless words. He didn’t like it, but Li Changyu spoke the truth.

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

“Then you should come up on the bed. There is plenty of room and–”

“Nope!” KN5IEp

“The ground is very hard and–”

Another flat rejection. “Comfortable!”

“You can catch a cold–”

Li Changyu turned so his back was to Jin Xiyan. “Healthy!” LxUrp9

Finally, he shouted. “Li Changyu!” That got his Wife’s attention, and he glared at him. Good. At least that is something. Jin Xiyan held out a hand and gestured to the bed.

“I order you to share the bed,” and before Li Changyu could argue, he rushed to add, “We will sleep with our clothes on and take separate quilts.”

“…” Li Changyu’s calculating gaze shifted from him to the bed, and then to the rest of the things inside the luxurious tent. Sucking his teeth, Li Changyu stood back up. “Tch. Fine.”

Jin Xiyan’s heart lightened again and he quickly scooted up on the bed higher. He took the left side and pulled his shoes off. After neatly setting them aside, he lay on his back and quickly pulled the quilt up to his chin. Jin Xiyan watched as Li Changyu grabbed another quilt from an antique wooden box and blew out a few of the candles. He could no longer see Li Changyu, but he could hear him. He stayed perfectly still when Li Changyu moved over to the right and sat down. Li Changyu took his boots off, each giving a heavy thud when they landed as he chucked them away. ay2dv0

Li Changyu laid down, but he tossed and turned. Jin Xiyan could only listen to the shuffling of the blanket, which sounded like Li Changyu was having a wrestling match with it. Eventually, Li Changyu settled down beside him.

After waiting a beat, Jin Xiyan started to ask, “Do you wish to tell me what is wro–”

As always, Li Changyu cut him off. “Go to sleep, Your Majesty.”

Jin Xiyan bit back his instinctive reprimand and stayed silent. After another moment, he slowly turned to lay on his side so his back was to Li Changyu. He laid there, listening to Li Changyu’s breathing. 4VGdbR

Though they were so physically close, Jin Xiyan could not help feeling like they were as far apart as two mountains separated by a sea.

*This is a real song! If you like that, you should look at the brand new page listing music I hand picked for Memories of the Palace!