Eunuch Xu is lying flat on the bed, staring at the high ceiling. He's been like this for a few hours now. It's already dark and it's time for dinner yet he hasn't eaten lunch until now.
Speaking of which, his stomach growls for who knows how many times already?
He wonders, is he going to die here like this? When he arrived at the underworld and he's asked what caused his death, would he answer "I starved to death."? He would sound so poor by then!
Well, he won't deny it. This beau is broke but for the span of time he's working in the imperial palace, he got some compensation and saved it. He never spent even a single copper coin. What else would he spend his money for?
The food here in the imperial palace is free. Servants got their uniforms and even have spare clothes. Basically, all basic needs are given here. And besides, they can't go out freely to even go to the nearby market.
And in some cases, when he got to go out of the imperial palace, his majesty would pay for him. Mingming treats the emperor as his walking money purse with endless resources. Also, the emperor gave him three money purses already. Each with more than fifteen gold coins.
Speaking of, he never got to return any of those money purses to the emperor. And now, news circulating the imperial palace about his majesty. That Emperor Yin Renshu and his sister Princess Yin Xiulan are already dead.
Even though that emperor is very temperamental to the point that there are times Xu Zhengming just wants to give up trying to understand him, he still feels sad about the news. He can't believe it up until now.  For some time of staying by his side, there are times that he's kind towards the silly eunuch. Even when he seems to be in a bad mood, he's still good to Eunuch Xu in his own way.
Based on his physique, the emperor seems to be around twenty-seven years old. He's still too young to die. He didn't even have a successor yet.
"Your majesty, what should I do now?"
Should he leave the imperial palace now? But what if his condition is still not totally well yet? What if his thirst for blood triggers again and lost his control over his own body? And if he leaves now, where should he go? There's no home waiting for him outside the palace walls. Where should he run to?
"I suggest you eat something first." His majesty's voice echoed in the entirety of the Lotus Hall.
This made Xu Zhengming rise from the bed immediately.
"Y-your majesty? Are you here? Please don't scare me to death." He covers his eyes with both palms. "I'm so sorry for my actions that annoyed you. Please leave me alone! I hope you rest in peace. I promise to burn joss paper for you and her highness!"
His parents' ghosts never visited him even once. The thought that his majesty is haunting him, he can't help but get scared.
Is he here for his money purses? To make Xu Zhengming pay for his actions? Or is he here to bring his silly servant with him in the underworld?!
Xu Zhengming heard his majesty let out a sigh. "The eighth emperor and the princess general are still alive so there is no need for you to burn joss paper."
"Ah? Then..." Xu Zhengming uncovers his eyes and turns his head towards the direction where the voice came from.
He saw the emperor carrying a tray with several dishes on it.
Prince Yin Wenyan gives him his usual gentle smile. "I'm sorry, you skipped your lunch. You must be very hungry by now."
Xu Zhengming was lost with his thoughts that he didn't notice that someone entered the Lotus Hall.
"Then, the news about you..." Xu Zhengming is still confused as to what really happened but he feels relieved to see his majesty. He stares at him as he comes closer, puts the tray on the nightstand, and sits on the edge of the bed.
Prince Yin Wenyan reaches out and brushes the locks of hair that cover Xu Zhengming's handsome face. "That's not true. Did I make you worry?" His voice is soothing as usual.
"..." Xu Zhengming involuntarily distanced himself for a few inches from the other.
This beau isn't so sure as to why he suddenly feels strange after his majesty brushes his hair to the back of his ear. He feels... nervous?
"Mn." Eunuch Xu nods without looking into the other's eyes.
"I'm so sorry for that. I'm here now so you can rest easy." Prince Yin Wenyan said as he reaches for the tray that he just put on the nightstand. "Please help yourself. Make sure you're full. We're leaving tonight."
"Leaving?" Xu Zhengming blinks twice. "Where to?"
They're not going to the Underworld, right?
"The imperial palace is too dangerous for you." Prince Yin Wenyan rises and walks toward the large circular window. He then looks above to see the moonless sky. "So, we're going to the place where you'll be safe."
Prince Yin Wenyan has given it thought several times. He can't commit mistakes now. They're driven to the corner. They only got limited choices.
First and foremost, he should search for his siblings. There's a chance that they'll lose the throne now but who cares? It's more important to find Emperor Yin Renshu and Princess Yin Xiulan. However, he can't just leave Eunuch Xu here while he's gone right?
Xu Zhengming can't let himself be seen by others as long as his fangs won't go back to normal or else, he'll be mistaken as one of those beasts that thirst for blood. He'll be killed by then! However, if he won't go outside, how will he eat then? He can't ask Court Lady Han for it anymore since the news about the emperor's death is widespread in the imperial palace, and perhaps even outside the palace walls.
After finding his siblings, Prince Yin Wenyan would announce the grand empress dowager's plan against them in public. Probably banish her out of the imperial palace too. That would make the full authority over politics go to them.
When everything gets settled, he will spend more time finding out how to completely cure Eunuch Xu.
"Renshu, have you eaten yet?" Eunuch Xu asked with his mouth full. "Aren't we going somewhere? You should eat too! What if there's no restaurant there?"
"Renshu... huh?" Prince Yin Wenyan murmured to himself.
This isn't the first time Xu Zhengming called him with his brother's name. He lost count of it already but he just can't get himself used to it.
This beau is calling someone else when Yin Wenyan is the one in front of him.
With that, he decided that when they resolve these problems they're currently facing, he'll make sure to introduce himself to Xu Zhengming. Tell him that he's the one who stayed by his side when he was alone... may it be in the past or the present time. The future may be uncertain but he'll make sure to be there for him by then.
Prince Yin Wenyan smiles at him. "Alright."
He hasn't eaten his lunch too, and he doesn't have the appetite to do so. How could he eat when his siblings are somewhere out there, probably starving and have nothing to eat?
But the fact that Xu Zhengming is concerned for him, although he called other's name, the prince can't possibly turn him down.
Where the moon looks so bright
And waters illuminated by moonlight
Was where I found you, and you found me
You made me feel at ease and free
But I wonder how are you doing now?
Your acquaintance is doing great somehow
Still wondering why we stopped seeing each other
But hoping to once again stargaze together.
A small smile forms on Prince Yin Wenyan's face. He's reading some of the newly composed poems by Xu Zhengming. And this piece is what caught his attention the most.
Xu Zhengming has nothing to do so he made about twenty or so poems about how temperamental the emperor he serves is, how bored he is with the current situation he's in, how good-looking he is, and this one poem about an old friend.
"I didn't know you still think about me." He turns his head to look at the sleeping Xu Zhengming. "We will look at the stars together again soon. Please don't get tired of waiting for me."
It's already midnight and no one, except for the assigned look-out guards, is around.
They decided to leave as soon as everyone is asleep. Some imperial guards are still awake but they won't serve as a big obstacle on their way.
The prince folds the papers and hides them underneath his sleeves. He's planning to take those with him. He isn't certain if they'll be able to make it back here in the imperial palace so he chooses to keep it close to him wherever he goes.
"Eunuch Xu." The prince lightly taps the other's cheek. "Eunuch Xu, it's time to go."
Xu Zhengming opens his eyes. "I'm not sleeping. I was just closing my eyes!"
He's being all defensive but the truth is, he really did fall asleep. He got drowsy while waiting for the right time to leave the imperial palace.
"Alright, you did not sleep. You did a great job." Prince Yin Wenyan chuckles. He knows this eunuch is lying because he heard Xu Zhengming snoring.
Eunuch Xu gets out of bed and fixed himself. "I really didn't sleep!" He still denied it even though he's already caught red-handed.
"Yes, yes. You didn't. Now, let's go." Prince Yin Wenyan draws his sword out of its scabbard, made a hand seal, and his blade floats in the air, waiting to be mounted.
Xu Zhengming stares at the sword, then at Prince Yin Wenyan, and vice versa. "We're traveling through sword flight?"
The answer is pretty obvious. It's true that he's afraid of heights and his majesty knows that... but do they have any other option?
"It's going to be a little long journey so we'll need to mount this for fast mobilization." Prince Yin Wenyan answered as he mounts his sword.
"..." Xu Zhengming is still hesitant.
A long journey? He can't even last long the last time they ride a sword!
"It's alright." Prince Yin Wenyan extended his hand to Eunuch Xu. With a reassuring smile, he tries to convince the other patiently. "I won't let you fall." He pauses and then his gentle smile turns into a mischievous one. "But if you do, I'll be sure to catch you before you hit the ground." And he even winks at the silly eunuch, telling sword flights aren't something he should be anxious about.
Xu Zhengming gives up. He sighs and takes the prince's hand. "Fine."
Let it avail what it may, come what may. Worse things are already knockings on his door. Is there anything else that's worse than that?