Chapter Text
Mei Nianqing awoke, not feeling much better than last night. He wanted to get up and check on this weird boy. But that means Jun Wu would wake up, with his head on the ex-emperor’s lap. Mei Nianqing could just hear Bai Xue coughing in his sleep.
Mei Nianqing moved a rock, replaced his head with it, and ran over to Bai Xue. “Ran” was a bit of a hard expression, but Mei Nianqing was still worried about this child for some reason.
Being a caretaker in a sense was starting to take a toll on Mei Nianqing’s body. He had even begun to realize that he has muscle pains, it’s embarrassing to say. Mei Nianqing was too embarrassed even to tell Jun Wu.
Mei Nianqing wrapped Bai Xue in a blanket examining the boy. Randomly started laughing quietly, only now Mei Nianqing realized that Bai Xue’s name means ‘white snow’. Heavens it’s almost pitiful. Mei Nianqing quickly shut up sighing. Bai Xue was having a coughing fit, what or who the hell is this child.
Mei Nianqing groans as he slips up. It’s fine of course, gosh it’s just him who is awake it doesn’t matter. After fiddling with the blanket doing this blind, he managed to rap up Bai Xue like a baby. Finally, his hands were free.
“Mei Mei..?” Jun Wu’s voice is still horse from just waking up.
Mei Nianqing looked funny, with a malnourished boy wrapped around his chest.
“Um, your Highness… I can explain.”
Mei Nianqing rushes to put Bai Xue down. All of that work is down the drain. Mei Nianqing groans and he covers his mouth. Shit, Mei Nianqing just can’t wait for Jun Wu to ask a million questions.
“Mei Mei…? Are your shoulders still hurting?” Jun Wu stands up. Mei Nianqing just feels awful.
Mei Nianqing falls into Jun Wu’s chest and they both collapse. Mei Nianqing was on top of Jun Wu’s lap with his head resting over his shoulder. Mei Nianqing was trying to not realize any noise. Mei Nianqing kept a close eye on Bai Xue hoping the child would stay asleep.
Jun Wu started to kiss and nip at Mei Nianqing’s neck. Damnit even though how blunt and hard-shelled he is his body turns into jelly. Mei Nianqing clawed at Jun Wu’s back his face getting hot.
Mei Nianqing felt so much relief. Just relaxing letting himself be pampered by the one he served all of his life. His mind was free Mei Nianqing felt young again playing at fields.
Mei Nianqing was embarrassed, as he was being pulled at. But he just kept a calm face or at least just a flushed face.
Mei Nianqing felt like a mess afterwards, he just started making soup soon after. Of course, this is the time that Xie Lian and that red ghost visit.
“Master- oh…Um, Master…Why is there a child in Jun Wu’s cave…?” Xie Lian was caught off guard by Mei Nianqing’s neck being covered in hickeys and nips…and that goddamn look on Jun Wu’s face.
“Your Highness, the boy was ill…so if that supreme ghost of yours wants to do anything useful. Take care of the boy, he is only coughing blood.” Mei Nianqing shrugs.
Jun Wu unexpectedly placed Bai Xue on his lap, low-key regretting his decision. Mei Nianqing gives Jun Wu a playful but dirty look. Xie Lian creped towards Mei Nianqing.
“Um…Master your neck isn’t covered. Your cursed shackle…” Xie Lian hinted to Mei Nianqing and he respectively nodded at Xie Lian rolling up the piece of cloth covering his neck.
“State Preceptor, gege, and I thought we should visit.” Hua Cheng smiled which reserved a glare from Mei Nianqing.
“What are you doing calling your Highness ‘gege’...Hm? Crimson Sought Flower….”
Xie Lian soon chimed in. “Master…Please don’t worry…I promise San Lang is taking beyond good care of me.”
“If you say so, your highness. But if you need to leave come here.” Mei Nianqing glanced at Hua Cheng.
“Master…You're looking a little pale…” Xie Lian approached Mei Nianqing letting him sit down.
“Your-... Highness you don’t need to. I’ll make a few cups of tea…” Mei Nianqing sounded out of breath
“At least let me help you, Master.”
Mei Nianqing cursed at Jun Wu in his head. If that man hadn’t lured him he wouldn’t have been in such an exhausted state. Hua Cheng had somehow taken Bai Xue out of Jun Wu’s hands and was holding the child with some disgust. And they all sat down (except Jun Wu.) Bai Xue was Passed to Mei Nianqing.
“Master you’re overworked… Sang Lang why don’t we help master.” Hua Cheng nodded as Mei Nianqing sighed. He can’t escape this, can he?
After tea, Xie Lian helped feed Bai Xue some medicine as Mei Nianqing hold him down as he fussed.
“How old is Bai Xue…?” Hua Cheng asked in an extremely monotone voice.
“I don’t know.” Mei Nianqing shook his head.
“Let’s say he’s five…? A good guess right?” Xie Lain tilted his head patting Bai Xue’s head
“Beautiful answer gege!” Hua Cheng smiled.
Mei Nianqing looked at Xie Lian and he immediately understood quickly shoving at Hua Cheng. Mei Nianqing cuddled up against Jun Wu with Bai Xue still in his arms gently falling asleep.
Jun Wu couldn’t sleep he just constantly felt his face feeling the faces. They didn’t make a sound, Jun Wu felt constantly torched by his sins. Jun Wu couldn't apologize, it was too late. He stayed awake just feeling his face almost getting nauseous. It was a horror that he felt alone in. very, very alone.