Chapter Text
Yibo doesn’t lie, though. He does tell Xiao Zhan everything, although he doesn’t get into much details about what precisely he asked Li Bing to do for him. Xiao Zhan doesn’t mind (much). He reckons even if Yibo goes into details, he won’t understand it either. As for the heavy and sour feeling Xiao Zhan feels every time Yibo mentions Li Bing’s name, it’s nobody’s business but Xiao Zhan’s alone. Li Bing is a great guy. Xiao Zhan likes him.
As long as he can be as carefree whenever it’s just the two of them behind closed doors, it’s more than enough for Xiao Zhan. He knows that if this is in their previous life, a chance like this, to be the one in Yibo’s embrace, the one Yibo kiss senseless, won’t ever happen to him.
That doesn’t mean it doesn’t shatter him to the core when the news comes.
Xiao Zhan is with Yibo in the study in Panlong Hall when Cuibei asks for an audience. They exchange glances before Yibo gestures for An Shun to allow Cuibei in.
This is Cuibei’s first time stepping inside the imperial study. It’s quite intimidating and it makes Cuibei very nervous that she trembles slightly. The Emperor is sitting behind a desk full of scrolls and memorials. Next to him is Noble Consort Xiao, looking so regal and beautiful in his elaborate red phoenix robes. Cuibei wonders if her master will get the chance to ever wear something so beautiful as that.
“Cuibei?” Noble Consort Xiao calls. “Did something happen to Li Pin?”
Cuibei berates herself for forgetting her place. She quickly kneels. “Nubi greets Bixia. May Bixia lives for a thousand years! Greetings, Guifei-niangniang!”
“What brings you here?” His Majesty asks.
Cuibei lowers herself again. “Nubi… Congratulations, Bixia. Our Niangniang is pregnant!”
Xiao Zhan is thankful that he’s sitting down, or else he may have staggered. Li Bing is pregnant! He then looks at Yibo with disbelieving look on his face.
“Congratulations, Bixia!” An Shun says happily as he kneels in front of desk. The other maids and eunuchs who heard follow An Shun’s example, kneeling and congratulating His Majesty.
Yibo frowns heavily, but then he remembers that he can’t just remain silent. He clears his throat. “Rise. An Shun, send taiyi and a mama to look after Li Pin. You may all leave.”
“Bixia, perhaps a reward?” An Shun reminds him.
“Arrange it as you see fit.”
“Yes, Bixia.”
Everyone excuses themselves with a happy mood in the air. The only two who don’t join in the joy are both too stunned in place.
Yibo is the first to break the silence. “Pregnant…This is ridiculous,” Yibo says.
“Why is it ridiculous?” Xiao Zhan asks, frowning unhappily at Yibo. “He’s your concubine. It’s not strange if he got pregnant.”
“It’s not me who got him pregnant!” Yibo snaps. “Let’s be real here. How can I make him pregnant?”
“Why can’t you? You’re young and you’re clearly healthy. I can–” Xiao Zhan bites his lips.
Yibo would’ve teased him under different circumstances. Instead, he takes Xiao Zhan’s hand and squeezes it gently. “Think about it. Li Bing is a man! Even if we did something, it’s impossible for him to get pregnant!”
“You favoured him before, you know.”
“It was Hongyi! It wasn’t me! Zhan-ge, I would never betray you!” Yibo insists.
Xiao Zhan stubbornly says, “You’ve been visiting him lately.”
“You know why I visited him! We didn’t do anything! Even if we did, it’s still impossible for him to get pregnant this quickly! Wait, no. That’s not the point!” Yibo starts to get frustrated too. “He’s a male. Li Bing. Is. A. Man. A man can’t get pregnant!”
“What are you talking about? Why can’t he get pregnant just because he’s a man? He’s a shuang’er!”
Yibo pauses. “A what?”
“A shuang’er!”
“What’s a shuang’er?”
Xiao Zhan looks at Yibo in disbelief. “A shuang’er. We can get pregnant even though we’re male!”
“What in actual fuc– how could I not know about this? Shuang’er? A man who can get pregnant? What?”
“You…” Xiao Zhan pauses, then it dawns on him as he looks at Yibo’s frustrated and confused face. “Wait. You really don’t know?”
“What do you think?” Yibo throws his arms up in frustration.
Xiao Zhan then wonders did he really miss telling Yibo about this bit of the novel world they’re in. They’ve been spending so many nights together and Xiao Zhan has been trying his best and has everything covered. Not to mention, Yibo has been learning a lot of stuff by himself. Now it seems like Xiao Zhan has taken it for granted that Yibo’s knowledge of this world is just the same as him.
The novel is also tagged with mpreg. The author never explains the origin but there’s a third gender in this world: shuang’er. As Xiao Zhan said to Yibo, these are males who can conceive and give birth. Aside from this unique trait, shuang’er is not much different from an ordinary male. Although, a shuang’er is usually good-looking and more delicate.
Now that he thinks about it, Li Bing does get pregnant in the novel, but due to the stress of being bullied and harassed by Concubine Xiao, Li Bing lost this pregnancy. Prince Yu, who at the time already formed a relationship with Li Bing, used this excuse to kill Concubine Xiao in the cold palace as revenge for Li Bing’s unborn child. That’s right. That’s how Concubine Xiao met his tragic ending in the novel.
Because he and Yibo have been doing things differently, many things have gone astray from the original plot, so Xiao Zhan completely forgets about this. Especially because Yibo has never favoured anyone except Xiao Zhan. It seems that certain things are still bound to happen. After all, before they came, Li Bing was favoured by Emperor Hongyi. His protagonist halo must have been pushed through so he got pregnant even though there are other consorts and concubines who had been favoured too but none of them got pregnant.
After hearing all that, Yibo gets a massive headache. He shouldn’t get too shocked, though. If even he and Xiao Zhan can get transmigrated to a world of a novel, male pregnancy shouldn’t be too shocking, right? Even in the real world, with women being more independent and more free to decide what they want with their bodies, scientists are considering other ways to increase birth rate and maybe just for the sake of researching because they’re… well, scientists. But. Li Bing getting pregnant is definitely something that he didn’t do, but why does he need to be the one who takes responsibility for it?
More importantly, Xiao Zhan looks like he’s been genuinely betrayed. This is the only thing Yibo can’t accept from this whole situation. He balls his hand into a fist, then his eyes fall on the jade ring on his right thumb.
“Yibo, I–” Whatever Xiao Zhan is about to say is swallowed back in because Yibo is kneeling on one knee in front of him. “What are you doing?” Xiao Zhan asks, confused.
Yibo takes off the jade ring from his thumbs, takes Xiao Zhan’s left hand, then slips the ring into Xiao Zhan’s ring finger. “Zhan-ge, I swear to you I have never done anything behind your back and will never do. I can’t give you this ring because this can cause a riot, but let this be a substitute for now. I will definitely give you a proper ring. Soon. I promise.” He then brings Xiao Zhan’s hand to his mouth. “Xiao Zhan, are you willing to be by my side forever? Let me hug and kiss you to sleep every single night until we’re old and wrinkly?”
What kind of lousy proposal is this? Wait. Is this even a proposal? Xiao Zhan looks at Yibo, wide eyed. The next moment, a blush starts to bloom on his cheeks all the way to his whole face. He looks absolutely adorable and lovely in Yibo’s eyes and he doesn’t care about whatever Xiao Zhan is going to say. Because there’s no other way. Yibo won’t let him go. No matter what, Yibo will make him stay.
“What the fuck, Wang Yibo? Is that how you– Forget it! I’m too lazy to talk to you right now! You better settle this with Li Bing first!” Xiao Zhan then storms out of the imperial study. He turns around before he reach the door, pulling the massive jade ring from his finger, then places it on the desk. “And how could you use that ring? I still want to keep my head on my shoulders, okay?!”
He storms off again.
Yibo shakes his head, helpless, but utterly and devotedly in love. Xiao Zhan hasn’t said no.
*
It really is not me, you know. Yibo thinks when he goes to Mingjing Pavilion to meet Li Bing who is putting on an expression similar to Xiao Zhan earlier. Yibo sighs.
“What did Taiyi say?” he asks.
“I’m about two months along. Bixia can rest assured. The child is quite healthy. I will also—” Li Bing says all this, but it’s clear from his face that he very, very does not want to do this.
“Do you want to keep the child?”
The Emperor’s questions halt whatever Li Bing is saying. “What did you say? Bixia, you–”
“There’s never been any affection nor love between us. Whatever happened before… let’s just say it’s a mistake. Now that you’re still early, before it becomes more difficult for you, if you really don’t want to keep it, then don’t keep it.”
Li Bing looks at the Emperor in disbelief. “...but how… Bixia, you’re really going to let me do that?”
Yibo nods firmly. “That’s your body. You have full authority on it.”
“But, this is your first child! Do you really not care?” Li Bing is still super doubtful. Where in the world a supreme leader would allow his concubine or consort to abort their child? Isn’t it their duty to have as many heirs as possible?
“It’s not that I don’t care. As I said, it’s your body. Even if it’s Zhan-ge, I will still ask him the same thing.” Yibo pauses a moment at that before saying again, “Well, think about it, then tell me what you decide.”
“What if I chose to keep it?”
“Then, I will certainly make sure you’re comfortable enough and the child and you won’t want for nothing.” Li Bing looks like he wants to say something again, but Yibo stops him. “Don’t rush. Think carefully. Whatever you decide, prioritize yourself first.”
Yibo leaves Mingjing Pavilion feeling a little lighter. He didn’t want to meet Li Bing for this, but Xiao Zhan is right: this thing can only be settled by him.
“Bixia, where to?” An Shun asks.
Yibo looks toward the direction of Chengqian Palace, but then again, Xiao Zhan probably still needs some time and space, so Yibo will respect that. “Let’s go back to Panlongdian.”
“Departing!”
*
It really is not me! Yibo once again wants to shout when he meets Qiu Qingzhi the next morning as he’s being escorted to the court. As usual, Qiu Qingzhi is very courteous toward him, but this time, he’s being extra courteous, like he’s trying so hard not to say something to the Emperor.
You’re blaming me, aren’t you? I assure it’s not me but this body’s original owner. He’s the scum who impregnated your sweetheart. Not me. Yibo hates it that he can’t say that to Qiu Qingzhi. Moreover, it’s only based on Xiao Zhan’s assumption that Li Bing and Qiu Qingzhi were childhood sweethearts before Li Bing was drafted into the harem.
Plus, it’s not the time to bother about it.
Prince Yu has come back to the court. He still looks his old self, although those who are perceptive enough will be able to notice that he’s pushing himself so hard to keep this appearance. It’s all very understandable. He’s only away for ten days, and yet more than half of his faction have been suppressed. Some are even replaced.
What other people don’t know, the bigger blow for Prince Yu is his connection with the Chen family.
Upon receiving the news that the Dowager Consort is ordered to pray for the previous Emperor and Empress, the Chen family immediately understands that this is a stern warning from the Emperor. They should not meddle in something they can’t afford to be involved with. And because the Chen family is pulling out, the other big merchants become doubtful, too. After all, the amount Prince Yu asks is no small amount of money and assets. Not to mention, they already heard that the Emperor is now no longer the useless and tyrannical emperor. Several fellow merchants from various regions tell them that real works are being carried out to solve problems. There’s no immediate results yet, but something is being done and it’s heading in an optimistic direction.
As someone who always poses himself as being gentle, educated, elegant, and always on the side of the country and the people, naturally Prince Yu can’t continue to oppose such a hard working emperor openly. It will shatter his image and he can’t have that.
Prince Yu suspects that all this sudden change in the Emperor must be related to Noble Consort Xiao. He must be the brain behind the Emperor because Prince Yu doesn’t believe the Emperor can suddenly turn to diligent and clever overnight. Prince Yu clenches his fist. He must do something. If he can’t pull Noble Consort Xiao to his side, then it’s better to get rid of him.
He starts to plan on this secretly, unaware that he’s being watched closely. Even closer than he can imagine.
*
“May I join you?”
Xiao Zhan raises his head from the painting he’s been working on. He’s so immersed in it that he’s not aware of anyone announcing Li Bing’s arrival. “Of course. Take a seat, take a seat. Don’t stand for too long. Qingxue, take out the bird nest we got last week and make some soup for Li Pin.”
“No need, no need. I’ll just have this tea.”
“What are you talking about? You can’t drink tea,” Xiao Zhan chides. “Aiyo, I haven’t seen you for a few days but why are you losing so much weight?”
Li Bing laughs. Xiao Zhan can nag like he’s Li Bing’s own sibling. That’s what Li Bing loves about him. “I’m fine. It’s just a bit hard to hold down food lately, but I’m eating. Don’t worry.”
“How are you, by the way?” Xiao Zhan asks sympathetically.
“Xiao-xiong, there’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”
“Sure. What is it?”
Li Bing touches his still flat stomach. “If I keep this child, would you hate me?”
Xiao Zhan is taken aback and frowns. “What kind of question is that? That’s your child. Why should I hate you for keeping your child?”
“You really won’t hate me?”
“I won’t! How could I?” Xiao Zhan takes Li Bing’s hand and squeezes it to assure his friend. “You won’t be alone in this, Li Bing.”
Li Bing smiles, then pats Xiao Zhan’s hand holding his. “I only ask because when Bixia came to me, he looked quite miserable. You guys must have a fight because of me, right?”
Xiao Zhan is quick to deny. “No! Absolutely not! We’re okay! Totally okay!”
“Bixia also said that if I want to keep this child, he will look after me and the child, but if I don’t want to keep it, then he won’t object,” Li Bing says again. “At first I thought I was being offered that because you’re unhappy, and to avoid you being unhappy, Bixia gave me that choice. Now I know that you won't be unhappy even if I keep the child, I can think about it with more ease.”
“Oh, you.” Xiao Zhan pokes Li Bing’s forehead. “Bixia offered you that choice because it is your choice. It may be his child, but you’re the one who has to suffer carrying it for months and then you also have to fight death delivering it. The decision to keep it or not is entirely in the hands of the one who has to go through all that, not the one who only plants the seed.”
Li Bing nods. “I totally agree with you. I thought that considering that this is the royal blood, I won’t have a choice even if I want to. For Bixia to say it to me is such a big relief.”
Xiao Zhan smiles. “You should’ve known by now that he’s one of a kind, right?”
“Don’t gloat. It doesn’t suit you, Xiao-xiong.” Li Bing pokes Xiao Zhan’s arm. He then leans in closer to whisper, “So, is he like us?”
Xiao Zhan doesn’t reply. He only smiles meaningfully. Li Bing narrows his eyes. “Fine. If you won’t say it, then don’t say it. I know enough anyway.”
“Such a clever boy.”
“Of course, I am.” Li Bing picks up a piece of pastry on the table. “So, you should stop being angry with Bixia, too. Zhi-gege told me that he’s been quite miserable lately.”
“How do you know that? And why are you keeping in contact with Qiu Qingzhi? Is that appropriate?” Xiao Zhan asks accusingly.
“Eh, you don’t need to worry about that. Take it from me, Xiao-xiong. You’re lucky that you can be with the one you love without having to worry about propriety or suspicion. You really should cherish it.”
Xiao Zhan falls silent for a moment. “I know.”
*
“Is Bixia in?” Xiao Zhan asks An Shun who meets him in front of Panlong Hall.
“Niangniang, Bixia is inside. Niangniang can just go right in.” By now, An Shun already understands more than anyone that when it comes to Noble Consort Xiao, anything goes.
“Thank you, Gonggong.” Xiao Zhan nods then pushes the door open. An Shun takes his station outside.
Yibo quickly leaves his desk as soon as he sees Xiao Zhan enter. “Zhan-ge,” he calls, pulling Xiao Zhan into a tight embrace.
As soon as he’s wrapped inside Yibo’s arms, Xiao Zhan feels an inexplicable sense of security and gladness that he hadn’t realized he had been missing these past few days. He raises his own arms and wraps them around Yibo’s waist. He buries his face into Yibo’s shoulder, inhaling the fragrant he loves so much.
“I’m sorry,” Xiao Zhan whispers. “I know it’s not your fault. I shouldn’t get that upset over something you clearly didn’t do.”
Yibo presses the side of his face against Xiao Zhan’s head. “No matter. I’m sorry for leaving you alone these past few days.”
Xiao Zhan shakes his head. He pulls away slightly, so he can look at Yibo’s handsome face. He then cups that face in both hands. “I’m so glad that you’re here with me, Yibo,” he says earnestly. “And if we’re stuck here forever, I’m willing to accompany you till the end.”
A smile blooms on Yibo’s face. “And let me hug and kiss you into sleep every night?”
“Mn. You can do that now,” Xiao Zhan whispers, bringing Yibo’s face closer to his and for the first time, taking the initiative to kiss Yibo first.
They end up lying down on the luohan bed, and the solemn study is filled with the sound of rustled clothes, soft moans, bitten groans, and quickened breaths. Long after that, they lay side by side, Yibo spooning Xiao Zhan from behind, using his oversized dragon robe as a quilt to cover their bodies.
“Zhan-ge.” Yibo drops a kiss on Xiao Zhan’s naked shoulder. “When you explained to me about shuang’er, you said ‘we’... Does that mean you’re a shuang’er, too?”
Xiao Zhan bites his lips. “...Mn.”
Yibo unconsciously squeezes Xiao Zhan’s waist. “Zhan-ge.” He clears his throat. “We’ve done this a couple of times already. Does this mean…”
Xiao Zhan shoves him away, embarrassed. “What are you thinking? It’s too soon to tell!”
“But shouldn’t we call Taiyi to make sure?” Yibo insists.
“If I’m showing symptoms, I will see Taiyi,” Xiao Zhan decides.
“...Are you sure it can’t be checked now?”
“Wang Yibo.”
“...Okay. Listen to you.”
“Good.” Xiao Zhan then turns to face his ridiculous lover. “It’s too shocking for you, isn’t it?”
Yibo pulls Xiao Zhan into his arms, sighing loudly. “How can you be so calm about this, Zhan-ge? After all, you’re the one who has to go through all that if you really get pregnant.”
“I wasn’t calm either, at first.” Xiao Zhan admits. “But in the end, it’s just like I accepted that I’ve transmigrated into this villain character, right? There’s nothing I can do about it, so why fret so much? So what if I object to being pregnant? It’s not like there’s a technology that can safely remove my uterus here. I know I can just introduce it to the imperial physician academy, but I won’t be like those people in the transmigration story who recklessly “invented” things but absolutely know nothing about those things they “invented”. This is people’s lives we’re talking about.”
“Yeah, I wonder about that, too. That’s why I don’t really like that kind of story. It’s just too absurd to suddenly be able to produce rice shunning machines while their degree is in business.”
Xiao Zhan looks at him funny. “Did you actually read one, Wang-laoshi?”
“My cousin loves this one story. I think it’s mostly because it got adapted into a TV series and Li Xian-ge played the main lead,” Yibo grumbles.
Xiao Zhan laughs. “Li-laoshi is amazing.”
“I know he’s amazing.”
“Wang Yibo, are you jealous?”
“Only if you keep praising him.”
Xiao Zhan bites the tip of Yibo’s nose. “Vinegar jar.”
“Says someone who got jealous over something his husband didn’t do.” Yibo pokes Xiao Zhan by the side.
“Stop!” Xiao Zhan retaliates by biting Yibo’s arm.
“Ow!”
They end up rolling on the luohan bed again.
*
Li Bing decides to keep the child. Yibo respects his decision and raises his rank to shufei. Xiao Zhan arranges for Li Bing to temporarily move to one of the courtyard in Chengqian Palace so Xiao Zhan can help take care of him during his pregnancy. After the child is born, another palace will be arranged for him.
Xiao Zhan has another motive to do this. Because the Emperor is so often in Chengqian Palace, that means Qiu Qingzhi will also be at Chengqian Palace with him. Xiao Zhan feels so clever and accomplished. After all, the happiness of the main character is the main driving force of this world. As long as Li Bing is happy, then Xiao Zhan feels that everything will end up okay for him and Yibo, too.
As a dutiful husband, Yibo naturally just goes along with his wife.
*
According to what Yibo has arranged with Qiu Qingzhi and Li Bing’s father in the shadows, something is bound to happen during the Mid-Autumn banquet. Traditionally, the Mid-Autumn dinner is time for families to gather together and appreciate the moon and it’s time to enjoy the abundance produced after toiling for a year. The same goes with the royal family. This is the only banquet that doesn’t require the ministers and officials of the court to attend, unless they are invited and/or have any familial relation with the royal family.
The intel they got tells them that in his desperate attempt, Prince Yu is going to do something on this occasion. Definitely not a rebellion because he has no army. He also can’t move the Imperial Guard because Qiu Qingzhi has a tight reign on his men, and everyone knows Qiu Qingzhi is loyal to the throne. He tried to get close to Qiu Qingzhi once, but Qiu Qingzhi avoided him like a plague. His only way to bring down the Emperor is by directly attacking the Emperor, but this will be too foolish, so his target must be the Noble Consort, who has been solely favoured by the Emperor and clearly has influence on the Emperor.
Before the banquet, Qiu Qingzhi gives a pill each to Yibo and Xiao Zhan. “This is an antidote to almost a hundred types of poison. Bixia, Niangniang, please take one.”
“Are we sure that he’s going to use poison?” Xiao Zhan asks, a bit skeptical, but mostly super nervous.
“He can’t be foolishly attacking you directly. His image is the most important to him,” Qiu Qingzhi says. “Don’t worry, Niangniang. Even if the poison he uses turns out to be unique, this antidote will still be able to curb most of the effect. Li-daren also has contacted someone from the Poison Valley to come. She’s already in the Li family's residence as of now.”
“Okay.” Xiao Zhan nods stiffly.
“Give us a moment,” Yibo says. Qiu Qingzhi and An Shun excuse themselves. Yibo gently pulls Xiao Zhan into his arms and kisses him deeply. “Zhan-ge, if you’re afraid, you can just stay in Chengqiangong with Li Bing. We can still do something to bring Yu Wang down without involving you.”
Xiao Zhan closes his eyes. He tries to calm his mind and his erratic heartbeat by inhaling and exhaling a few times. He clutches the front of Yibo’s dragon robe. The one Yibo’s wearing now is in moon white colour, embroidered with three five-clawed dragons in gold silk threads. The robe is in contrast with Xiao Zhan’s deep red phoenix robe. Side by side, they look like they are a match made in heaven.
“I’m scared, but I have to do this. After all, from the beginning, Yu Wang is our opponent. I just thought that I can get along with Li Bing in this life, aside from the fact that he’s not the original Li Bing, is also because the Li Bing in the novel never tried to antagonize Xiao Pin. Everything is done by Yu Wang.”
Yibo tightens his hold around Xiao Zhan. He presses a long kiss on Xiao Zhan’s forehead. “I’m here. We’ll go through this together.”
“Mn. Together.” Xiao Zhan kisses the corner of Yibo’s mouth.
Taking their pills, they head toward the banquet hall.
*
Xiao Zhan feels it when it happens. It’s like his insides are churning and ripping. He’s in such great pain that he collapses from his seat just a step from the throne where Yibo sits. Yibo catches him quickly, shouting for the maid who served Xiao Zhan to be arrested. Qiu Qingzhi seals the hall, not giving any chance for anyone to come and go. Imperial physicians are ushered in to check in on Xiao Zhan. Yibo knows Xiao Zhan will be fine, but it still scares him shitless to see Xiao Zhan writhing in pain that his face goes paper white.
Xiao Zhan is being looked after in one of the side rooms. The several imperial physicians all do their best to save the Noble Consort. They know if they fail, they won’t be able to keep their lives too. No one is allowed to leave until the culprit is found. Prince Yu looks concerned and tries to reason with the Emperor that there’s no point in detaining everyone here. The maid is being interrogated. Sooner or later, they will know who the culprit is, so why not let everybody go. The Emperor only needs to order them not to leave their house.
If he doesn’t remember that they haven’t found the solid proof yet, Yibo would have slammed Prince Yu’s face against the nearest wall and against the ground several times. What a lousy author to create such a love interest with such a scum personality. Yibo is doubtful that the Li Bing in the novel will be able to maintain his happy ending with this scum as his partner.
“What? Is Huangxiong in a hurry to get home so you can get rid of the leftover poison you still have at home?”
Prince Yu is stunned but he schools his expression and emotion as best he can. “Bixia, Benwang is only suggesting.”
The Emperor looks around the room. “Anyone insisting to leave will immediately be a suspect.”
Everyone is definitely unhappy, but they can’t do anything if they don’t want to be dragged by the Imperial Guards and possibly be tortured to a confession. After all, the image of Emperor Hongyi’s former conduct is still fresh in their minds. They huddle in twos or threes. They think the Emperor will go to his beloved consort’s side, but the Emperor sits back on his throne instead, waiting with everyone.
Time ticks away agonizingly slow. Qingxue comes back, whispers something to the Emperor, and the Emperor doesn’t show much reaction. The maid excuses herself again. Not long after, An Shun, who has gone out without anyone noticing, steps back into the hall. He nods at the Emperor. Only then does the Emperor suddenly rise to his feet.
“Huangxiong, come and follow Zhen,” the Emperor calls Prince Yu.
Prince Yu has thought that the Emperor will bring him to the side room where Noble Consort Xiao is being treated, but the room he enters is another side room. In the middle of the room are the figures of a maid and a eunuch, who clearly have been tortured. An imperial physician is crouching by them, probably to keep them alive.
The Emperor saunters to the luohan bed at the head of the room, then sits down after flinging his sleeves. Qiu Qingzhi takes station beside him. Prince Yu looks at the two on the floor. The imperial physician rises to his feet, then bows to the Emperor before standing to the side.
Prince Yu pretends to be surprised upon seeing their condition. Behind him, two soldiers stand while the door is closed from outside. Two other soldiers guard the door. Prince Yu frowns. “Bixia, this–”
“Huangxiong.” The Emperor picks up a small knife from the table beside him. He twirls it in between his fingers. “Zhen will give you a chance. Only one.”
“Benwang is unsure as to what Bixia is referring to.”
“Forming a faction, traitorous intent, bribing. All this Zhen can just turn a blind eye to if you so repent. But you just had to cross the line.” Yibo twirls the knife and throws it toward Prince Yu. It lands right beside Prince Yu’s left foot, wedged to the floor.
“Bixia, we may not have been born from the same mother, but we’re still brothers! Aren’t you scared of what people will say about you if you kill your own brother?”
“Don’t talk as if you didn’t instigate the cause of one or two of our late siblings’ demise, Huangxiong.” Yibo takes another knife. “What? You think Zhen didn’t know?” Yibo smirks as he notices the surprise flashing across Prince Yu’s eyes. “So, what’s it going to be? Confess or be executed on the spot?”
“Reminding Bixia, this is still the Mid-Autumn festival.” Qiu Qingzhi interrupts gently.
“Ah. Right. You know, Qiu-aiqing, you remind me of this little anecdote from a foreign country I heard about. It’s said that making blood sacrifices during the winter solstice ensures the rise of the sun in the new day, giving hope and a new beginning for the land.”
“You’re crazy!” Prince Yu’s gentle and elegant image cracks.
Yibo smirks. “But don’t you already know this, Huangxiong? Why are you acting so surprised now?” With that, Yibo throws the knife again. This time, it scratches Prince Yu’s thigh before landing not far from the first knife.
Prince Yu staggers a few steps back. “I will not stand to be insulted like this!” He turns around but two sets of hands already hold him in place. On Qiu Qingzhi’s signal, the soldiers standing behind Prince Yu push him down to kneel.
“Bring him in.” Upon Yibo’s order, Qiu Qingzhi walks toward the other side of the room and comes back holding the arm of a delicate looking young man wearing simple robes.
Prince Yu’s eyes look on in disbelief at the familiar figure walking in front of him. “You…” He grits his teeth. “Traitorous bitch!”
The person flinches a little but he doesn’t spare Prince Yu another glance. Instead, he obediently let himself be led to stand in front of the Emperor, then kneels. “Chen greets Bixia. May Bixia live a thousand years.”
“Do you have it?” Yibo asks.
The young man takes out a small packet from inside the lapels of his robes, then presents it with both hands. The imperial physician takes the packet from his hands, then he disappears outside the room. The young man produces yet another thing from inside the lapels of his robes. This time, it’s a book.
“Chen, Ye Pengcheng, is suing Yu Wang-dianxia for corruption, bribery, forming faction, and harboring traitorous intent, as well as harming member of the hougong. This is the account book which records all of Yu Wang’s malicious deeds.” The young man says, voice slightly trembling. However, his eyes are full of determination. An Shun steps out to take the book from him and gives it to Yibo.
“Traitor! How could you do this to your own husband!” Prince Yu barks. The soldiers hold him down so he can’t hurt the young man.
The young man turns to Prince Yu very slowly. His small frame exudes strong resentment that is solely aimed at Prince Yu. He pulls out a piece of paper, this time from his sleeve (Yibo is silently amazed at how many things can be hidden inside one’s robes. He has yet to try it because, well, it’s unseemly for the Emperor to carry so many things when the dragon robe itself is already quite heavy). He unfolds it and spreads it in front of Prince Yu’s eyes. “You’re no longer my husband.” It’s a divorce letter, signed and stamped.
“I’ve never agreed to this–” Prince Yu shouts. He narrows his eyes at the young man. “That night. You said it was some important document. I was drunk! This doesn’t count!”
Ye Pengcheng puts the divorce letter back inside his sleeve and turns to kneel in front of the Emperor again. “Bixia, throughout the years, Chen has been giving everything for Yu Wang and Yu Wangfu, but what Chen got in return is only heartache, scorn and humiliation from someone who once swore he would only hold Chen’s hand in this lifetime. Chen no longer has any connection to Yu Wang and Yu Wangfu. Hoping Bixia will bring justice for Chen and those wronged by Yu Wang!” He then kowtows toward the Emperor.
Right at this time, the imperial physician who went out earlier, comes back. He bows before saying, “Reporting Bixia. It is exactly the same poison.”
Yibo closes the book he’s been skimming through. “An Shun.”
“Laonu is here.”
“Yu Wang is to be demoted to a commoner. Confiscate his estate and assets. He is to be exiled 3000 li from the Capital. He’s not allowed to come back on whatever account even after he died.”
Everyone kneels and bows. “Bixia is wise!”
After that, Yibo just leaves everything to An Shun and Qiu Qingzhi. He quickly goes to the other side room where Xiao Zhan is being treated. Yibo quickly raises his hand to stop everyone from bowing or kowtowing as soon as he steps into the room. He approaches the bed. Xiao Zhan is awake and he’s sitting up. Yibo is a bit glad about that. There’s a woman beside him, checking Xiao Zhan’s vitals and pulse. This must be someone from the Poison Valley that Qiu Qingzhi mentioned earlier. She merely nods at Yibo when Yibo comes near. She concludes her work before smiling at Xiao Zhan.
“I’ll prescribe a herbal soak for you. You should soak every day for half a shichen before sleep. Do this for a month. I also will give you acupuncture for seven days consecutively,” the poison master says. She then pats Xiao Zhan by the knee. “It’s hard on you, but you will be fine.”
Xiao Zhan smiles gratefully at the poison master. “Thank you, Dashi.”
“Thank you,” Yibo nods sincerely, lowering his head toward the poison master.
“It’s nothing. Xu-mo is doing this only because I owed Old Li a favour.” The poison master gathers her things. “By the way, I need to settle close to the patient.”
“Naturally.” Yibo says in understanding. “An Shun, arrange a residence for Xu-dashi in Chengqiangong.”
“Right away.”
“Can he be moved?” Yibo asks again.
The poison master purses her lips. “Wait for another shichen.”
Yibo nods as a sign that he understands. “You may all leave.”
As soon as the door is closed after the last person leaves, Yibo pulls Xiao Zhan into his arms. Xiao Zhan hugs him back, especially after he realizes that Yibo is shaking.
“It’s okay. I’m okay,” Xiao Zhan whispers, kissing the side of Yibo’s face and ear. He then cups Yibo’s face in his hands. His heart lurches when he sees Yibo’s reddened eyes. “Don’t cry, Baobei. Didn’t you hear what Dashi said? I will be fine.”
“I’m sorry, Zhan-ge. I’m sorry.” Yibo starts to sob. “I’m sorry I was not here beside you when you went through all that. I thought I was going to lose you.”
“Oh, Yibo.” Xiao Zhan kisses Yibo’s wet eyes. “But you’re there, aren’t you? You were out there fighting for me.”
Yibo takes one of Xiao Zhan’s hands, pressing Xiao Zhan’s palm against his lips.
“You’re here now so that means it’s done, right? You’ve done it, right? You’ve caught Yu Wang.”
Yibo nods. He has stopped sobbing, but his tears are still dripping silently. His lips still pressed against Xiao Zhan’s palm as if seeking assurance from the warmth emanating from Xiao Zhan’s hand. Xiao Zhan kisses those tears away. “Thank you for protecting me, Yibo.”
Yibo pulls him into a kiss, which Xiao Zhan is more than glad to welcome. They both need this assurance, that the other is still there with them, safe.
“I love you,” Yibo whispers, staring deep into Xiao Zhan’s eyes. He says it so naturally, that it’s not a new found realization, but something that he has known for a long time and it’s been his truth throughout his life.
Xiao Zhan laughs. He doesn’t know what he has done in his previous lifetimes to be able to catch the heart of someone as amazing as Yibo. If Yibo knows this thought of him, he will certainly say it’s the other way around. But no matter which one, Xiao Zhan leans in, rubbing the tips of their noses together. “Are you still going to hug me and kiss me to sleep every night until we’re old and wrinkly?”
“Naturally.” Yibo kisses the corner of Xiao Zhan’s lips, right over the beauty mark there.
“Mn. Then I love you too.” Xiao Zhan says mischievously. His eyes are soft as he looks back into Yibo’s eyes which always look at him devotedly.
It’s Yibo’s turn to laugh. “You heartless thing.” He pushes Xiao Zhan down so he can kiss this man senseless.
*
For the first time in three years after coming to this world, Xiao Zhan is being woken up before dawn by Qingxue. Maids and eunuchs are already busy all over Chengqian Palace and other parts of the imperial palace.
Today, Xiao Zhan is going to be enthroned as the Empress to Emperor Hongyi. It’s been postponed for quite some time due to many reasons. Xiao Zhan is half asleep throughout half of it until after he finishes a pot of strong tea. A mama from the department of internal affairs and an official from the Ministry of Rites are supervising every single step Xiao Zhan does in preparing himself.
Finally, the day is here. Xiao Zhan is both nervous and giddy. Never in his life did he ever dream about being someone in such a high position. Before, even after holding the noble consort title, Xiao Zhan still thought that it was all like a strange dream. However, after that incident in Mid-Autumn where they brought down Prince Yu, Xiao Zhan finally got a firmer grip on reality. This is his reality now. And because he’s with Yibo, Xiao Zhan knows they can go through everything just fine as long as they’re together.
Just before Xiao Zhan is helped to wear the heavy and elaborate Empress robe, red and gold in colour, embroidered by the majestic vermilion birds over a field of furong flowers, two nursemaids come in bringing two years old boys in each of their arms.
Xiao Zhan smiles wide at the boys and gives them a kiss on their forehead. “You guys be good today, okay? Mufei will see you tomorrow morning.”
“Mufei, pweetie!”
“Mn. Pweetiest!”
Xiao Zhan laughs, kissing those chubby cheeks before the matron reminds him of the time. “Bring them to Panlong Hall before going back. Bixia must want to see them too.” Xiao Zhan tells the wetnurses. After giving his sons another kiss, Xiao Zhan let them go.
Not long after things died down, Xiao Zhan found himself pregnant. Yibo was even more nervous than Xiao Zhan was throughout the pregnancy especially after the imperial physician told them that Xiao Zhan was carrying twins. This is also the main reason why the matter of appointing the Empress has been postponed for such a long time.
That being said, today is also their wedding day. Officially. The ceremony is long and dragging and Xiao Zhan is absolutely famished before he’s able to see Yibo inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony. By the time they’re allowed to retire, it’s already late in the afternoon. They steal some time to make out before Yibo has to go back because there’s a banquet to host.
“Are you drunk?” Xiao Zhan asks when Yibo comes back again after the banquet.
“No.” Yibo leans in and kisses Xiao Zhan’s lips. “See for yourself.”
“Good.” Xiao Zhan pinches Yibo by the cheek.
Yibo smirks and scoops Xiao Zhan into his arms in a princess carry. “Don’t worry, Zhan-ge. I know to limit myself and not get drunk on our wedding night. Can’t ruin our first night together by being drunk.”
“This is hardly our first night, though? We already have twins.”
“As husband and wife, Zhan-ge. You’re officially my wife now, and thank you for your hard work bringing up the twins.” Yibo puts Xiao Zhan down on the bed and starts pulling off the ties on Xiao Zhan’s inner robes.
Xiao Zhan slaps Yibo’s hand away and rolls their bodies around so he sits on top of his husband (!!!)’s body. “Don’t be so impatient. We haven’t yet drunk our nuptial wine.”
“Fine.” Between the two of them, Xiao Zhan is the one who is more strict to the rules. Yibo doesn’t mind it, most of the time. Like this time, since it’s something that must be done, so Yibo goes through it. They snip some strands of their hair, tie them together and store it inside a box, then finally, they cross their arms to drink the nuptial wine. The dragon and phoenix candles are burning brightly. Yibo takes the wine cup from Xiao Zhan’s hand then once again sweeps his sweetheart off the bed for their official wedding night.
Late into the night, after rolling under the sheets for long hours, Xiao Zhan feels like he’s going to faint. Yibo calls for another basin of hot water to be brought in and he’s tended to Xiao Zhan personally. Xiao Zhan kicks Yibo on the thigh weakly. Yibo catches his feet, chuckling fondly and kisses Xiao Zhan’s feet. After that, he hugs and kisses Xiao Zhan to sleep.
“Sleep now, Zhan-ge.”
“Hmm. If those brats come in tomorrow morning, don’t wake me.”
“Okay.” Yibo kisses Xiao Zhan on the cheek once again. When they wake up tomorrow morning, there will be another day of being with each other.
It was all so strange and absurd and confusing in the beginning, but now, no matter what, they have each other. Yibo knows by now that this is why he was thrown into this world: so he can be with Xiao Zhan and give him the best in the world.
Xiao Zhan is worth all that and more.
***