"I'm really sorry, your majesty! Please forgive me! Please forgive me!" Eunuch Xu pleaded as he kneels before Prince Yin Wenyan.
The prince, on the other hand, forces a smile. "I told you, you don't have to apologize. I understand, Eunuch Xu." He tried to help him rise to his feet multiple times but the eunuch refuses to get up and continues to ask for forgiveness.
Xu Zhengming shakes his head as his hold on the other's robe tightens. The eunuch is very thankful that the emperor or is now in a good mood. If it happens that he's in the bad mood at this moment, his majesty might point his sword at him again.
In just a couple of hours from now, it would be daybreak already. The princess general has long retired in her quarters. Her brother, Prince Yin Wenyan, remained in the Lotus Hall, looking after Xu Zhengming until he regains his consciousness.
When the eunuch sucked enough blood from the prince earlier, his aggressiveness faded, and suddenly fell unconscious after his thirst quenched. Just like Prince Yin Wenyan said, he did not consume too much blood so he remained awake all this time.
There are a lot of things that keep on bothering the prince which caused him not to fall asleep. Why did Eunuch Ye suddenly make an appearance again? And it's like he really intended to attack the Lotus Hall. If he's only following his beastly instincts, why didn't he attack in the other buildings in the palace complex where sleeping people are most probably in? Why only the Lotus Hall though? Or is it a part of the plans of the person plotting this all? Is he after the emperor? But if his target is the emperor, why did he not go to the emperor's hall?
Also, there's another thing that kept him awake. Eunuch Xu's condition is getting worse. He's not getting better and that's not the worst thing yet. His life expectancy is cut shorter than three months. He doesn't think he still has enough time to find another Yueguang Hua to cure him. The royal physician can't do anything about his condition. Also, the empress who could come up with something to stretch the eunuch's remaining life longer is missing. What else can he do? It seems death is really coming for his beloved. Will he only just sit and wait for his last breath?
And another thing, Prince Yin Wenyan doesn't know if he should consider this as good news or not. Xu Zhengming can now recall fragments of his memory while he's in his bloodthirsty mode. He somehow remembers that he fought with Eunuch Ye. This is also the reason why he keeps on apologizing to the prince. He remembers that he bit him and even sucked blood from him.
Prince Yin Wenyan looks down at the eunuch who's grasping on his robes as he continues to apologize. The prince couldn't stop himself from smiling just by looking at this beautiful man. Even though this silly eunuch currently has a pair of teary eyes at the moment, to Yin Wenyan, he's still the most admirable and praiseworthy in his eyes.
What happened next surprised Xu Zhengming. Prince Yin Wenyan kneels before him too. Their eyes finally meet. He refuses to stand so the other decided to kneel with him. The prince smiles but it didn't last long when Eunuch Xu kowtowed.
Prince Yin Wenyan's smile immediately got replaced with helplessness. He sighs and scratches the back of his head. "Really, Eunuch Xu, stop this. You see, I'm not mad at all."
"..." Still, Eunuch Xu didn't rise even his head.
"Alright." The prince tries to console him. "I know it's really hard for you. The cultivation world is not the world you're supposed to be in after all. I can't do anything to cure your illness and let you out of this mess yet but please don't lose hope. I could only fight the dangers with you and help you get back to your senses whenever you go berserk in the meantime. So please don't apologize, I'm glad to be by your side."
The eunuch finally raised his head and later, on sits on the floor. He didn't know what caused him to act all gentle now but he hopes he won't hit him sooner or later and let him eat his breakfast in the morning. Can't he just remain like this?
Prince Yin Wenyan shows his signature smile again. "You must be really confused with this series of misfortunes. Would you like to get some fresh air? Let's walk around to have peace of mind."
With the gentle light from the moon above serving as their only light in the dark night, the two walk around. It's a little chilly but it didn't bother Xu Zhengming at all. His mind is still in a mess. For just a short period of time, he wants to stop thinking about those. He wants to empty his mind but he was too troubled.
No one speaks as they walk around the imperial palace wherever their feet bring them. Xu Zhengming's mind is too occupied and failed to notice where are they now. They arrived at the place where he and the prince first met each other.
"Are you still looking for your old friend?" The prince asks as he leans his back on the trunk of the old willow tree. His statement made the other's presence of mind stimulated.
Old friend? He can't recall any old friend he has except for that mysterious man in black robes that he met in this place. Xu Zhengming replies, "The one I told you? Well, I don't think he'll show up here again. He stopped coming here for a long time already." He turns his head to meet the prince's gaze. "But I'll be glad if he does."
"I see." The prince smiles. "I think he will show himself again around here."
Confused, the eunuch asks him, "What made you think that way?"
Prince Yin Wenyan's smile widens a little. "What if I tell you that I already discovered who that person is?"
Xu Zhengming raises his eyebrows. "Oh? Who is that person?" Although he doesn't want to assume anything, he still secretly hopes to at least know that person's name.
"His surname is also Yin. His given name is Wenyan." Prince Yin Wenyan casually said.
Although he looks calm on the outside, he's very anxious inside. Although there's only a very low chance that Eunuch Xu will find out their secret, he still can't help but feel a little nervous. It's his first time feeling this way after all so no one could really blame him for acting like a child trying to confess to his first crush. Too bad his first love came at the wrong time, in a very complicated place. It seems their fates aren't meant to get woven with each other the way he wants it.
What if they met before the three of them discovered that they are descendants of the royal family? Or what if he's born in an ordinary family and met the scholar Xu Zhengming outside the imperial palace? Would it be easier for him to tell what his heart says?
"Yin Wenyan..." He heard Xu Zhengming utter his name.
It's his first time hearing the other say his name. It's most probably the first time Eunuch Xu says it either. As much as the prince wanted to ask him to call him once more, he knows he can't expect for that to happen... or at least for now.
"So, this mysterious man we are talking about is actually a member of the royal family?" Xu Zhengming didn't expect that his old friend has a noble background. However, it still sounds strange to him. Something isn't right. "How come I haven't heard about him?"
"Well..." Prince Yin Wenyan speaks, "He's not a close relative. He also rarely visits the imperial palace, that's why."
The prince didn't have to explain and make up excuses any further. Xu Zhengming seems to believe his lies. The first prince got somehow relieved but at the same time a little sad. There's a part of him that wants to tell him who he really is. But he can't do it... not for now.
"I see." Xu Zhengming said. "I don't think he still remembers me but if your majesty meets him some time, pass him my regards."
"Mn. Got it." Prince Yin Wenyan answers.
No one speaks for a while after that. All they can hear is the rustling sound of the willow vines as the cold breeze blows. They are just standing by the lake and staring at the moon's reflection in the water. The place is very serene and calming. It's like no strange things really happened a few hours ago.
Whenever Xu Zhengming feels troubled, this place is indeed like therapy to him, and it's the same case for Prince Yin Wenyan.
As time passes, Yin Wenyan noticed that Xu Zhengming's face looks troubled again. Thanks to the peaceful scenery, Eunuch Xu managed to forget his worries but it didn't last too long. No matter how the eunuch tries to empty his mind, the strange things that happened to him keep on popping out of his mind.
His highness thought he needs something that will distract him. He immediately thinks of something. He unsheathes his sword from its scabbard. This indeed distracted the eunuch.
"Y-your majesty! What are you doing? Waaah... spare me! I don't really mean to bite you earlier!" Xu Zhengming starts to plead again. He thought the emperor is at it again! He's being too unreasonable! His temperament is getting worse! Didn't they talk normally just now?!
Prince Yin Wenyan waves his free hand as he shakes his head. "No, no. You got it wrong, Eunuch Xu." He made a hand seal that enables him to control the blade with his spiritual energy. His sword then floats horizontally about half a meter above the ground.
"You haven't tried a sword flight yet, right?" Prince Yin Wenyan mounts on its blade. "Try it with me."
Xu Zhengming titled his head. So he's not going to point its sharp blade on him? Though sword flight sounds fun and exciting, the silly eunuch never imagined himself mounting a sword. Also, the thought of riding a flying sword makes him feel scared. What if he falls? His life won't last even a week, not to mention, an hour! He'll automatically die if he falls down!
Seeing the hesitation on his face, Prince Yin Wenyan gives him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Eunuch Xu. I'll be right beside you. I won't let you fall."
"I promise." He said full of sincerity. "Even if you fall, I'll definitely catch you."
"..."
In his eyes, the emperor looks very sincere. Even so, Xu Zhengming can't just make his worries go away. Regret is always at the end after all. He won't even be able to regret it if he falls down and dies. Although his remaining days alive aren't that many, he still wants to live to the fullest. He can't just die because of a bad fall, right?
"Fifteen gold coins." Prince Yin Wenyan said. "I'll pay you fifteen gold coins if you come with me." The prince smiles cheerfully at him and even playfully winks at him.
Xu Zhengming, "Do you think I'm that cheap?"
Although the prince doesn't mean it like what Mingming thinks, the prince just chuckled and shrugs.
Eunuch Xu sighs. "Fine. Fifteen gold coins, that is."
Yes, Xu Zhengming is that cheap. But it's not really the reason why he agrees. He had a second thought. His life is so short. He might not get another chance like this again. For just once, he wants to do something daring.
Prince Yin Wenyan takes his hand and assists him to set his foot on the sword. It took Xu Zhengming some time to balance himself. All thanks to the prince, he managed to maintain his balance somehow. Although he finally stops leaning from side to side, his hands never left the prince's broad shoulders.
Eunuch Xu gives up. "I don't think I'll be able to maintain my balance like this. I'm going down."
"Don't!" Prince Yin Wenyan hurried to stop him. "Perhaps it's better if we'll just sit on it?"
So they indeed tried to sit and it somehow works better on Xu Zhengming.
"We're going now." As the prince said that, the sword slowly lift further from the ground.
"F--- Wait!" Xu Zhengming felt his balance is off again and quickly closes his eyes as he grabs his majesty's robes.
"Don't worry, I got you." Prince Yin Wenyan wraps his arm around Xu Zhengming's waist for support. Although he already holds him carefully, Xu Zhengming still tightly closed his eyes and never let go of his robes. This goes on until they reached the level of the clouds.
"Eunuch Xu, open your eyes." His voice is so soothing that his fears gradually subsides. Slowly, the eunuch opens his eyes. What greeted him is the bigger moon. Well, it wasn't really bigger. It's in its usual size. It's just the two of them are a little closer to the mentioned heavenly body.
Xu Zhengming's red eyes seem to shine as the gentle moonlight reflects on them. As he's admiring the beautiful moon, Prince Yin Wenyan is paying attention to another thing. He's staring at the amazed look of the other.
Without even noticing it, he's leaning closer to his eunuch.
"Your majesty?" Xu Zhengming calls out when he noticed that their faces are too close.
"Eunuch Xu..." His gaze goes down from the eunuch's red irises down to his pale lips. On the other hand, Eunuch Xu didn't say anything and patiently waits for his majesty's next words.
"Can you call me by my name?"
"..." Eunuch Xu doesn't get what's up with his majesty right now. But he remembers, didn't the emperor ask him before to call him by his name whenever there's no one else around? He said when someone calls him by his name, he's reminded of his life before he entered the imperial palace. Eunuch Xu thought, he must have missed his life outside the palace.
"Yin Renshu?" He calls out
"..." Yin Wenyan is speechless.
He smiles weakly as he withdraws himself backward. Of course, what would he expect? This person who he admires the most only knows his brother. He doesn't even know that he exists! To think he almost lost his control over himself.
He thought, "What was I thinking? Did I just assume he'll say my name? Ridiculous. Pathetic."
Though Eunuch Xu unintentionally hurt him emotionally, he still manages to give him a sweet smile. "It must be a tiring day for you. I'm so sorry for my selfish request."
"..." Xu Zhengming found it weird.
He wonders if he's just imagining it or his majesty really leaned closer to him. For some unknown reason to Xu Zhengming, he suddenly felt like his heart just skipped a beat. And out of nowhere, his majesty's words, when he was drunk, popped out of his mind.
Mingming thought, "No, no. Don't think about it! His majesty was drunk back then. He doesn't mean to say that at all!"
Prince Yin Wenyan, "Let's go back. We need to rest."
[A/n: While republishing this chapter, I feel cringe. Deym, can't bring myself to read this again without being embarrassed. HAHAHA]