A/NÂ Been busy with exams for May and June, technically still not done but got time to edit today. It's a longer chapter, little more than 2.5k~~
The unrest in court bubbled and roiled like hot soup under the crystal skin of dumplings, scalding, and carrying the various flavours of gossip and malicious intentions. There were also officials who were concerned with the king's wellbeing, inquiring subtly for news at every opportunity. Of course, many others took the opportunity to spread rumours with the aim of creating confusion and chaos. Eunuch Shuang was also anxious about the situation, yet under the king's orders, he could only continue to obediently deliver the urgent documents to the imperial bedroom and deny any visitors (eager for gossip) an audience with the king.
"Hmngh..." Jiang Zhilan stretched his sore back, blinking tired eyes as he leaned over the half-finished document. A warm hand touched him lightly on the shoulder, a mellow voice sounding suddenly in his ear.
"If you're tired you should rest, your majesty." Jiang Zhilan startled slightly, only to lean back immediately after, his head softly thumping against Liu Qingyuan's chest. He was enveloped in a shadow, his eyes sliding closed in contentment.
"In a bit," he said lazily, feeling a hand fall onto the column of his throat, "I still have a few documents to finish." He reluctantly opened his eyes, leaning away to finish off a document with a flourish of his brush. Liu Qingyuan watched quietly over his shoulder, his hand sliding down to rest on the king's shoulder. These days...he himself had noticed his own clinginess but he felt better when he stood near him, when he touched him. He felt less tired. Liu Qingyuan's fingers squeezed for a moment, a foreign anxiety gripping his chest. This wasn't...him.
Sticking so close to him, he naturally felt the king stiffen before he dropped his brush. Jiang Zhilan swiveled in his seat as if remembering something urgent. "Didn't I tell you to lie down? What if you aggravate your injury!"
"It's fine. It's healing well.' Liu Qingyuan pushed his back down into his seat, not wanting to be coerced back into bed. He felt restless sitting for so long. He leaned down, wrapping an arm around the king's neck from behind.
"Qingyuan?"
"Mm?"
"You-ngh!" Jiang Zhilan's question was interrupted by a sharp pain on the side of neck. It was followed by a warm and moist feeling, sending shivers racing across his body. "You..." Liu Qingyuan pulled away, a string of silver attached to his lip. The tooth indentation was particularly clear against the fair skin. He...unashamedly wanted to bite more.
Jiang Zhilan turned to face him, cheeks red with embarrassment. But he still reached up and brushed aside Liu Qingyuan's hair, plastering his palm to his forehead. "Do you feel uncomfortable?" He patted his cheeks, "What's wrong?"
Liu Qingyuan, "..."
Jiang Zhilan had a faint premonition. Liu Qingyuan had been sticking to him so much these past few days; a touch here, a pinch there, did he want to...? Was he restless and looking for a way to vent?
"You...wait," His waist seemed to ache faintly. He pushed against Liu Qingyuan's looming figure, feeling a sense of crisis. Liu Qingyuan gazed at him silently, distracted as his ears started to ring. A bone-deep hunger rose again; he wanted to hold the man in front of him, fold him into his bones until they became one. Dizzily, Liu Qingyuan faintly felt a sense of wrongness, his skewed senses preventing him from noticing that the crawling feeling started in his meridians again. The moment Jiang Zhilan tried to get up, cool fingers gripped his chin and his mouth was captured by a pair of lips. "Mn..." Liu Qingyuan bit him impatiently, nearly directly pulling him out of his chair. Jiang Zhilan stumbled, a hand pressing on Liu Qingyuan's waist. "What are you doing? You're still injured!" Liu Qingyuan pulled that hand away, gently kissing his fingertips. He pressed his forehead on his hand, brows furrowing. Jiang Zhilan hesitated, "What wrong? Are you really uncomfortable?"
Liu Qingyuan raised his head, his gaze fiercely hungry. But deep in those pools of swirling black, Jiang Zhilan saw a trace of confusion and anxiety. Ah. This again. Maybe it had to do with that strange feather mark that had appeared. Jiang Zhilan cleared his throat, feeling a little embarrassed. "Would you...like me to help you?"
"Hm." Liu Qingyuan hummed, directly pulling him over and sealing his protests behind another kiss. Outside, Eunuch Shaung sighed, retreating from the door. He hurriedly dismissed the maids and servants posted outside the imperial chambers. The masters were fighting again...
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Jiang Zhilan could see his own vague reflection in the polished bronze mirror, the surface rippling as Liu Qingyuan moved behind him. His hair was grasped softly, the fine teeth of a wooden comb dragging slowly through it. He closed his eyes in pleasure, the rhythmic movements practically sleep-inducing.
He felt Liu Qingyuan lean over him, reaching for the crown pin on the dressing table. He stopped him with a gentle touch on his arm. "Wait," Jiang Zhilan pulled open a drawer, taking out the red spider lily, "I want to wear this today." Liu Qingyuan paused, his fingers curling slightly. That hairpin...was really the source of too many troubles. Jiang Zhilan glanced up, gaze inquiring. Liu Qingyuan was silent, a sense of unease running through his veins, his body frozen. "Never mind I-"
Liu Qingyuan simply reached over and took it, pinning up the king's long, silky hair. "If your majesty wishes to wear it, then wear it." The handle was cool in his palm, bloody petals seeming alive with some ill intent. His grip lingered. The pressure in his chest increased. His finger twitched. Liu Qingyuan turned his head, covering his mouth as his lungs spasmed and he coughed suddenly, choking on air.
"What's wrong?!" Liu Qingyuan took a shaky breath, shaking his head.
"I'm fine." He reached out, pulling the hairpin away and causing the king's hair to fall back down in a black waterfall. "Don't wear this today."
"Huh? Okay...then," Jiang Zhilan paused, turning to reopen the drawer and pulling from the back an exquisitely carved box. Inside lay the jade Yulan Mongolia hairpin that Liu Qingyuan had (technically) gifted him. "This one then." He smiled.
"...Alright." Storing the Qiangda flower in his lapel, Liu Qingyuan took that piece of clear jade, rearranging Jiang Zhilan's hair before pinning it securely. The king peered into the bronze mirror, twisting his head this way and that to examine Liu Qingyuan's handiwork.
"Does it look good?"
"Mm. Looks good," The corner of Liu Qingyuan's eyes curved, taking in the image of the king in his sleeping robes, jade skin bright from the black hair draped over his shoulders and the crystal green of the hairpin lending a fresh and youthful air to him; as if he was a scholar and Liu Qingyuan could sweep him away to enjoy a quiet life together at any moment.
Eunuch Shuang's sudden startling cry broke the delicate atmosphere. It was quickly accompanied by a thunderous sound as the door of the imperial chambers were forced open. A platoon of imperial guards rushed in, immediately surrounding them in a wall of silver and red. They parted like the sea as a man's figure entered, his crude cut face eluding merciless cruelty.
Jiang Zhilan stood up, indignant fury blossoming on his face. "Jiang Baiyi! What is the meaning of this?" Jiang Baiyi gestured with a hand and a guard drew his weapon, blocking the king from approaching his elder half brother. "Are you rebelling!" Jiang Baiyi smirked slowly, pacing slightly. "Jiang Baiyi!"
His brother finally turned towards him, executing a shallow bow. "Your majesty, don't worry. I will get you out of here safely." He sneered, turning to Liu Qingyuan. "Liu Qingyuan, you have one chance to turn yourself in." Liu Qingyuan returned his gaze steadily, glancing at Jiang Zhilan. His little king's face was green with fury, wary confusion and a hint of panic hidden in his gaze. Jiang Zhilan stepped in front of Liu Qingyuan.
"I'm warning you," His tone was icy, "Are you sure you want to commit treason?"
"Heh," The single syllable was irritating to the ears and full of provocation. Jiang Baiyi smiled dryly, ignoring the blatant threat. "The hairpin has already gone missing. Your majesty, this matter is of utmost importance. Why did you inform anyone?"
"How did you-" Jiang Zhilan furrowed his brow, "What do you mean?" Lost? He'd just touched the hairpin less than half a shichen ago. Did it suddenly disappear from Liu Qingyuan's robes? He glanced over inquiringly but Liu Qingyuan shook his head. He could still feel the hairpin pressed against his body.
Out of their sight, Jiang Baiyi smiled triumphantly, catching the exchange between them. Like a vulture swooping down on the scraps of a carcass, he seized control of the situation. "Seize him!" The group of guards rushed at Liu Qingyuan. The first guard grabbed his arm and reflexively resisted, snapping that grip away with a cold glare. He caught the way Jiang Baiyi's grin widened at the motion and he hesitated, not wanting to make the situation harder for the king. But that split second was enough of an opportunity for the guards to overpower him with numbers, nearly tearing into him like a feral pack of wolves. Without any scruples, Liu Qingyuan kicked a guard away, pushing away a sword tip with his other hand. The blade cut his palm and he silently grit his teeth.
Clink!
Before he could retaliate any further, the sonorous sound rang throughout the room, freezing the scene like it was some sort of flash frame. His large movements had dislodged the hairpin in his lapel, the bright spider lily smiling teasingly from the floor. In the eye's of the eldest Prince's party, it was a solidification of his guilt.
A trace of surprise flashed across Jiang Baiyi's face before his expression settled into one of contentment and false horror. He hadn't truly expected that his half-brother would be so infatuated that he actually gave the Qiangda flower to him. But it didn't matter if Liu Qingyuan was currently innocent; his original intentions, told to him by his former master himself, was enough to get him executed for treason. Perhaps with some opportunity for torture beforehand.
"What are you still waiting for? Protect the king!" The guards surged forward as a single unit, ignoring Jiang Zhilan's roars of anger. They forced Liu Qingyuan to his knees, his hands wretched behind his back and multiple swords aimed at his throat. Jiang Baiyi slowly walked up to him, unconcealed gloating in his gaze. He bent down, picking up the Qiangda flower and rotating it slowly in his hands. He glanced at Liu Qingyuan. "Captain Liu, you've really reached too far. It's good fortune this prince stopped you before you seriously harmed his majesty. Today, I will expose all your treasonous deeds!"
"Jiang Baiyi! Stop this at once!" Jiang Zhilan pushed against the wall of guards blocking his way. "Get out of the way! Do you want to die?" He looked positively murderous, making the guards hesitate. The king's order ranked higher than that of the eldest prince, but the eldest prince...he held their families and their livelihoods over their heads. They had no choice but to pretend to be blind and continue blocking the way.
"Apologies, your majesty. It is for your safety. This servant is willing to accept any punishment!"
"What punishment?! If you don't move now, I'll have your head!"
"Take him away." Jiang Baiyi sneered at the king, finding him noisy.
"Jiang. Bai. Yi! You dare!" Jiang Zhilan turned around, grabbing the piece of ornamental jade on the table behind him. He brought it down on the edge of the small table and the delicate piece smashed, the main body instantly becoming a crude weapon. He kicked away the guards, who were at a disadvantage as they didn't dare harm his dragon body, and made his way to Jiang Baiyi's side in a flash, the jagged piece of jade tenderly kissing his throat.
"Jiang Zhilan! What is the meanin-"
"You shall address me as 'your majesty'," Jiang Zhilan said coldly, his lips rising in a sneer. "You dare show disrespect to me?" Jiang Baiyi's face twitched, his expression livid at the humiliation. Yet in the face of the younger brother who'd stepped over him in the succession of the throne and successfully become king, he could do nothing. His hands clenched in his sleeves. In a subtle motion, he gestured with his fingers.
The guards, receiving his tacit understanding, continued to force Liu Qingyuan towards the door. Jiang Zhilan ruthlessly pushed the piece of jade forward. A muffled grunt; Jiang Zhilan's hand paused and he quickly looked over. Liu Qingyuan was doubled over, a hand resting on the half-healed wound on his stomach. His face was pale from the pain, the faint stench of blood rising subtly into the air.
"You-! Which one of you touched him!"
Jiang Baiyi arched his neck, sweating internally, though the polite smile on his face didn't flinch. The top-grade jade radiated a slight coolness, reminding him of its presence with every small movement. "Naturally, if your majesty requests, I will properly punish those involved. But right now, Captain Liu is very suspicious. He must be investigated."
"Jiang Baiyi, if you take him out of this room, we can be regarded as monarch and subject." The smile froze on Jiang Baiyi's thin lips, his eye twitching slightly with fury. His younger brother actually dared to threaten to remove his title?!
Seeing Jiang Zhilan's unwavering glare, Jiang Baiyi could only helplessly reach into his breast pocket and pull out a piece of parchment. The smile on his lips stretched a little wider as his little brother's gaze followed his movements.
"I'm afraid the court won't agree." He shook open the paper, revealing the seals of numerous court officials, painting the white page into a dizzying flower of red thumbprints. Jiang Zhilan scanned the black words, clambering for Liu Qingyuan to be investigated. His face paled.
"Very good," He squeezed out the words from between gritted teeth. "You all dare to threaten me by resigning?" Although the king was head of the country, he very well couldn't run one without his ministers to help ensure that the details were processed smoothly. Even if he scrambled to replace all those vacant positions, the country would still fall into a period of chaos. It was unknown whether a certain enemy kingdom would seize the opportunity to attack, or if the crisis would originate internally. Another war wasn't what the people needed right now. Last summer's drought had barely been offset by the winter snow, yet the poor autumn harvest meant many could starve before spring came. A new disaster couldn't be afforded.
"Your majesty, choose wisely." Jiang Zhilan's jaw clenched so hard he thought his teeth might crack. An overwhelming helplessness flooded over him, edged with the desperation of the situation. Almost unwittingly, his hand trembled and retreated a fraction of an inch. Jiang Baiyi, who'd been keeping an eye on that jagged piece of jade, smiled wider. He gestured behind his back and the guards, catching the eldest Prince's signal, dragged Liu Qingyuan out of the room. Once the door closed, Jiang Zhilan's chest heaved as he breathed out a harsh breath. The jade smashed into the floor, flinging fragments into the air. Jiang Baiyi flinched minutely.
"Get out."
Jiang Baiyi raised an eyebrow, deliberately fixing his collar at a leisurely pace.
"Get out. If I need to say it a third time, your head will roll on the floor!"
Jiang Baiyi flushed indignantly, but he could only swallow his hatred. He'd never seen his didi so riled up; it really was uncertain if he'd go through with it.
Once the room was empty, Jiang Zhilan closed his eyes, ignoring the blood dripping from his palm. Staring at the exquisite wooden door, the corners of his eyes tinged with red, Jiang Zhilan decided the ministers needed to be dealt with first. If they weren't put into their place, they would only continue to take advantage. Qingyuan I'm sorry. Wait for me.