The sun is only starting to rise yet there's a commotion ongoing in the imperial palace.
"Um... Your majesty? Can you loosen your grip a bit? It hurts!"
The palace servants that Xu Zhengming and Prince Yin Wenyan meet on the way all follow these two with their gazes. Suspicious looks are on their faces, and some even murmured.
Who would not be intrigued if his majesty the emperor is dragging his personal eunuch around with such a dark expression, and first thing in the morning on top of that? The usual gentleness in his face has left without a trace.
The prince didn't say anything, not even giving a single glance to the silly eunuch but he indeed loosens his grip on Xu Zhengming's wrist a little.
Truth be told, Xu Zhengming never saw his majesty like this. Not even when he's in his bad-temper state. It's like he really made a big mistake and offended his majesty that much to the point he showed the angriest expression that his face could make.
For the first time, Eunuch Xu is uneasy towards this temperamental emperor. He's very confused as to why is he this mad. He just did what he said three days ago.
This scene continued until they reached the Emperor's Hall. Court Lady Han, and two other personal maids of his majesty just got to arrive to wake the emperor up and assist him in getting ready for the day just as scheduled. But to their surprise, the emperor is already up with a horrifying face and is dragging Xu Zhengming.
Court Lady Han asks without thinking much. "Your majesty! What happened? Why...?"
Prince Yin Wenyan shifted his irises into the corner of most part of his eyes, giving his personal servants a cold gaze.
"You don't need to do that today. Leave at once."
His unfriendly tone sends a chill on their spine. They immediately bowed down next to the emperor. "Yes, your majesty."
He could only let out a sigh of relief when he averted his gaze on them.
They're very intrigued as to what happened between the two of them this early in the morning. Even so, they obeyed his majesty and left the place.
On the other hand, Prince Yin Wenyan pulled Eunuch Xu inside the hall and shut the door closed.
"You're not leaving this hall, do you understand?" He turned himself to face Xu Zhengming. He's still wearing that dark expression on his face.
Xu Zhengming is still clueless as to why his majesty is acting this way. Why is he this mad to him? He's been thinking of what might be the cause but he can't think of any. He doesn't think he did anything wrong. He's trying to understand the other but his patience isn't that long.
Eunuch Xu pulls his hand from the emperor's grip. He raised his head, showing the annoyance written on his entire face. "No. I don't understand it. I can't understand you anymore. Aren't you the one who told me to meet you up in the Lotus Hall before the sun rises?"
Wrong. It's not him who told Xu Zhengming that. It's the real Emperor Yin Renshu. Too bad, the one in front of him is his brother, Prince Yin Wenyan.
The prince pursed his lips before he parted them to answer. This time, his tone is calmer than earlier. "I've changed my mind. We're not leaving this place. You'll be staying here. Don't go elsewhere."
A sneer formed on Xu Zhengming's lips. He can't believe what he's hearing. He finds it ridiculous. Is his majesty seriously being irrational now?
"Are you planning to lock me up again?"
He's been isolated in Lotus Hall for several days. He even lost count of the exact days he spent alone there. And now, this emperor wants him to be imprisoned in his hall? Truly disagreeable.
The pair of phoenix eyes narrow as his majesty speaks in a low yet solemn voice. "If I needed to, yes."
Hearing this absurd answer, Xu Zhengming subconsciously took a step backward. Disbelief dominates his perfectly chiseled face, almost ashen. He couldn't find the right words to say.
He understands that he's not fully healed and that he might become a bloodthirsty monster again but his beastly instincts aren't triggered for some time now. Does he really need to be isolated? Doesn't this emperor know how lonely it is to be alone in a cold wide room?
The flood of thoughts that almost drowned Xu Zhengming all disappeared when his majesty's both arms wrapped around him. With Prince Yin Wenyan's face buried in Eunuch Xu's shoulder, his voice sounds muffled but still audible.
"Eunuch Xu, stay here for me, okay? Don't leave me, please." His tone isn't as cold as earlier. It changed into a pitiful one, like begging for someone. Like the helpless abandoned child that he was, refusing to give up for his heart's desire, begging for his beloved's attention.
Even Prince Yin Wenyan himself doesn't understand himself anymore. Was he this selfish back then? He felt guilt but his desires are heavier.
He hates this feeling but he doesn't want to let go. He's willing to give up everything. The throne, his wealthy life in the palace, the fruits of his hardships... everything but Xu Zhengming.
"..."
There's a part of Eunuch Xu that wants to hug his majesty back but for some reason, he couldn't do it. In the end, he just lets the other embrace him tight like he's afraid of losing him while Xu Zhengming just stands there like a statue.
Xu Zhengming isn't that insensitive of a person. He feels the other's pain and is becoming more emotionally unstable. He knows that these past unfortunate events caused them so much stress and sure, they didn't have it easy. Especially for this emperor who got thrown by his own grandmother and almost murdered.
He feels bad for them but what about him? Who pities him? No one because he's just a mere servant. He's just someone not valuable. Of course, his feelings aren't given much importance.
But just by remembering all the things that his majesty did for him, his anger turns into pity. He just can't get mad at this temperamental emperor for too long.
A silent sigh is released from his thin lips. "Ren... your majesty, I don't know if you've changed or I just don't know you completely yet."
Prince Yin Wenyan's embrace loosens and he slowly let Xu Zhengming free.
"It doesn't matter if you know my entire person or not. It's not important to know me like the back of your hand. What matters the most is that you'll stay by my side."
He then turns his back to Xu Zhengming, made several hand seals, and activated a spell. It's a barrier made out of water blocking every single fenestration there is in the hall.
Without glancing on the eunuch's way, he said in a low voice. "I need you to stay here. I'll be back soon."
Prince Yin Wenyan singlehandedly passes through the barrier without getting soaked and walks away from the hall. Eunuch Xu believes that he himself would not be able to cross it as the emperor did so he didn't give it a try. If he can, why would his majesty bother himself to put this barrier? Without anything else to do, he walks towards the bed and sat on its edge silently.
Earlier, Eunuch Xu is heading towards the Lotus Hall with just a little bag on his back. Since he didn't have many belongings, his things fit in his small bag. Woke up a little late so he hurried his steps, hoping that the emperor is not in a bad mood.
It's because Emperor Yin Renshu told him three days ago that they'll leave the imperial palace today for good before the sun rises. Xu Zhengming doesn't really want to stay in this chaotic place anymore, and just like his majesty, he wants to live the rest of his life in a peaceful town. Away from politics and cultivation world.
Just as he was about a few steps away from the Lotus Hall, he meets Prince Yin Wenyan. The thing is, the prince heard the two of them talking about leaving the imperial palace before. Knowing that his brother already decided to leave this place, he had a feeling that he'll bring Xu Zhengming with him. Which is, of course, the prince won't allow it from happening.
They've been separated for years and finally reunited. Why would he let another chance of them, going to be separated again, happen? He thought he'd never see Xu Zhengming again, and when the time came they're united, he won't let him go for the second time around. And that's when the prince starts dragging him to the Emperor's Hall.
Meanwhile, the Emperor in the Lotus Hall is a little anxious. Why is his silly eunuch not here yet? The sun is about to rise!
For some reason, he has a feeling that his bother, Prince Yin Wenyan, won't allow him to bring Eunuch Xu along. This is why he wants to leave as early as they can. If possible, before the prince wakes up. Prince Yin Wenyan is being overly protective of Xu Zhengming after all. His Majesty knows that there really is something wrong with that and he doesn't like it.
The door of the Lotus Hall slides open. He somehow felt relief but knowing Emperor Yin Renshu, it's not his thing to express his real feelings. With his usual annoyed voice, Emperor Yin Renshu asks without looking at the newly arrived person. "What took you so long?"
"You were waiting for me?" A voice of a woman sounded.
To his surprise, he turns his head towards the hall's entrance. It's actually Princess Yin Xiulan.
"Xiulan? What are you doing here this early?" Annoyance and disappointment are evident in his voice. He thought Xu Zhengming finally arrived. Turns out it's just his sister.
The princess enters the hall and walks closer to the emperor. "I thought you're leaving early so I brought you this." She lifts a small box covered in silk. "Inside this is fried dumplings and some steamed buns."
Princess Yin Xiulan handed the box to him. "I learned how to make those since I once watched Liu Chen make some. I tasted these and so far, these are edible. I also wrapped the box with layers of silk to keep it from getting immediately cold."
To finish these before the sun rises, she must have woken up at least a couple of hours ago. A little smile appeared on his majesty's lips but of course, he didn't let his sister see it. He might not show it to her but he really appreciated her thoughtfulness.
"I know you're thrifty so I thought you might not get yourself a breakfast on the way." Princess Yin Xiulan sits on the edge of the bed beside him. "You're waiting for someone? Is this person going with you? Is she the one you said that you like? Who was it again? Maiden Yu...?"
"It's Eunuch Xu." Prince Yin Wenyan entered the Lotus Hall.
Even though his face isn't much visible because of how dark the surrounding is, it's obvious that he's not wearing a pleasant expression.
"Eunuch Xu? Xu Zhengming?" The princess can't sink it quickly in her mind.
Why would Emperor Yin Renshu bring his eunuch with him?
When Prince Yin Wenyan got close enough to them, to the emperor specifically, he looks down on him as he says, "He's not going anymore."
Hearing his words, Emperor Yin Renshu's mind starts to empty itself. "What do you mean?"
The prince answered him casually, "He changed his mind at the last minute. He thought I am you, and he told me that he's not going anymore, and even convinced me to just stay here."
Shaking his head, the emperor can't believe it... or rather, he refuses to believe it. "Impossible. He's so sure that he's leaving with me."
The prince sneered. His bad mood worsens remembering how Eunuch Xu agrees to him so easily. "Why would you force him to go with you? Won't you consider that he might have realized that it's too dangerous for him to wander outside the palace walls? What if some ill-intended person targets him? With me, gaining the complete control of the empire, there's no harm that could come at me nor to him."
His highness pauses for a while, took a deep breath, and said these words. "If you're leaving, leave alone. Don't bring someone else."
"Wenyan..." Princess Yin Xiulan wants to stop his enraged brother but she doesn't know how to.
Prince Yin Wenyan, even as a child, has long patience and rarely gets mad. He's the one who always comforts his siblings. She really never saw him being weak or being this emotionally unstable before so she doesn't have any idea how to cool him down.
She knows that he's upset because their brother is taking Prince Yin Wenyan's beloved away. However, she doesn't think Emperor Yin Renshu knows this and it might cause a big misunderstanding that could lead to a conflict.
The princess only wants to lighten up the atmosphere but the prince only roared at her. "What? Or do you want to go with him too? Fine, just leave me here alone."
"Alright. I'm leaving now." Emperor Yin Renshu got his brother's point.
There are a lot of times Xu Zhengming got into dangerous situations because of his carelessness but he couldn't recall a time when he saved him. It seems his silly eunuch is prone to risks if he's near him.
Maybe it really is better for them to just part ways. His brother can protect him well than he could. There's nothing to worry about Xu Zhengming is in good hands. However, his chest feels so tight that he got trouble breathing normally.
He forced a smile as he rises to his feet. He taps his sister's shoulder saying, "Xiulan, thanks for this food. I appreciated it very much."
And without a proper goodbye, he turns his back and leaves the hall.
Princess Yin Xiulan stares at the emperor's back that's getting smaller as their distance in between gets wider. She looks up to the prince and then back to the emperor. She's literally torn in between these two!
Since Emperor Yin Renshu is leaving the imperial palace and isn't certain when will they see each other again, the princess runs, following his tracks while the prince remained in the hall.
"Renshu, wait!" She yells when she saw his brother draws his sword and was about to mound it. The emperor stopped and turns around to face his sister.
As soon as she got close enough, she said, "Please don't get mad at Wenyan. He's our brother so please try to understand him. It's just... It's just Eunuch Xu is someone important to him. He... he likes him."
"Xiulan, for goodness' sake! I like him too! The person I said I like is Eunuch Xu. It's Xu Zhengming! I want him to be with me wherever I go. Always... always..."
He paused to take a deep breath, trying to keep his cool. "Xiulan, I am also your brother but why won't you try to understand me too?"
"You..." Now, this is a complicated situation.
Her brothers like the same person. And now, their once close relationship with each other slowly drifts away. Knowing that Emperor Yin Renshu likes Eunuch Xu the way Prince Yin Wenyan does, she doesn't know what to say anymore.
Who is she giving her support to? Her brothers can't just share their favorite person, right?
In a low voice, Emperor Yin Renshu asks his sister for a favor. "Just do me a favor. Please help Wenyan keep Eunuch Xu safe." Since he can't do it, perhaps the two of them can.
"..." Princess Yin Xiulan remained silent.
She knows what it feels like to have a favorite person, and letting this feeling go is hard. She hasn't even moved on from her tragic story yet, and won't be able to do so anytime soon. However, in this situation, one must let go for the sake of the other's happiness.
Realizing the princess isn't going to respond soon, he demands, "I need you to swear to me, Xiulan."|
Looking down, she swears, "Damn you..."
A vein bulged on Emperor Yin Renshu's forehead but he keeps himself calm. He must not challenge her in a death battle. He's leaving and he doesn't want to feel any more guilt before he leaves.
"No. I mean, I need you to promise me."
"No! Damn you! Damn you all! Why do we need to get to this point?!" Princess Yin Xiulan starts to yell. "Since I can't choose between you two, I'll just keep Xu Zhengming to myself!"
"Don't you dare...!" The emperor can't finish his sentence anymore when he saw his sister's face.
As usual, it's her fierce one but her eyes are wet. She's suppressing her tears from falling. Her voice this time is low, almost whispering in the thin air. "Can't we just go back to what we used to?"
The emperor averted his eyes. He doesn't want to see his sister cry again. It just doesn't suit her. "You know we can't. We have our own life choices now, and we choose different paths."
He pulled her into a hug before he mounted his sword and leaves the imperial palace.
How he wishes he could see Xu Zhengming one last time, and ask him why he suddenly changed his mind before he leaves. However, the emperor is afraid that it will only cause the silly eunuch's confusion. He's smart but he's dumb at times after all.