Chapter Text
“Our emperor, we have found him” The counselor bowed and fell onto one knee to his majesty's feet.
“Bring him in." Hua yong muttered
His voice was low but yet it carried the weight of many years of war and battles fought and the command of one man that was enough to silence every soldier in battle, a man carved from wars
He didn't need to raise his voice, his presence was enough.
He sat upon the dragon throne like someone who only conquered in wars, A men won many
battles, his armor plate still stained with dry blood, rested heavy on his broad shoulders.
But the weight wasn’t as heavy as many wars he had fought.
His dark eyes scanned the hall sharp, like if he could swallow it whole.
No one dared to breathe too loudly.
Even silence itself feared him.
“Yes, our emperor!” Right before him the doors to the grand halls were opened wide, and knights barged in with a captive, their steps echoing.
They threw the captive on the ground hard without retaliation.
“Long time no see..sheng Fang, never thought that I would see you, the great Emperor of the north kneeling before me like a peasant, so much for your arrogance…. Hmm?”
He chuckled slowly but mercilessly.
“What do you think you’re doing? Let me go!!’ Sheng Fang roared as he tried to break free from the grip of the soldiers, his eyes were red from anger, and veins popped up on his forehead, anger taking over his pride.
“It seemed that you took too much pride in your strength, look what it got you. We've fought for years but yet look the south stands proud and powerful due to me.”
“You may have won this battle.. emperor Hua Yong.” Sheng Fang.
“But, all I see is a man who relies on wars for victory..” he growled.
Alpha pheromones surged forward forcefully and aggressively designed to dominate.
It was shaoafing he was using his pheromones to overwhelm.
However, it didn’t seem to overwhelm his target, hua yong sat still.
Instead dark orchids exploded into the room, the pheromones of hua yong, His pheromone was not much and got overwhelmed.
Hua yong slowly stood up, “You’re way too bold, sheng Fang using your pheromones." he muttered.
“I didn't capture you for my victory, I captured you because you were too into your pride.”
“You put yourself in this Sheng Fang" His eyes narrowed at the fallen emperor before him.
The sharp sound of a kick echoed through the grand hall, Sheng Fang face snapped to the side,
Sheng Fang's breath grew heavy and he realized that the man before him had already won.
Hua Yong sat back down on the throne,a small faint smirk crossed his face, he lowered his gaze towards shoafing “So what should we do now, what would you like to do? Serve us the south? Or perish from the world?”
“Make your choice.” Hua yong slowly said, his tone was menacing. The way he said it slowly made Sheng Fang shiver with every spine.
“I-I’ll give you my eldest son in marriage! ” Sheng Fang shouted desperately
“The eldest, the heir of the North, take him.. so you carry an heir of the South and North with my son and your bloodline will continue”
“But, in return me and my family are to be freed, we should be allowed to walk around.
free, no execution or parishing.” Sheng Fang mumbled slowly.
“That is my offer." he swallowed.
A chuckle pierced the hall.
“You wanna offer your eldest son? Don't you not care about him? Or do you have too much pride that you're willing to give your oldest son away, your heir?? “ Hua Yong let out a low chuckle
The words seemed to shush shaofing quick.
That amused him, he leaned back on the throne.
“Why should I?” Hua Yong asked, ”Why should I accept this for your freedom?" he added.
“Though.. I'll consider it, since you're so confident about it.” he murmured silently
He waves his hand dismissively
Sheng Fang scent kept lashing out but was oppressed by Hua Yong's deep brutal scent of orchids in the air, their pheromones clashed together for a bit.
“Guards, take him away, now." he growled, "once I've decided your fate, I'll let you know. “ he added. Then averted his gaze away from the man as if he was something dirty he couldn't look at.
He ignored the man's shout as he was taken away.
And silence filled the ball once again.
‘Hand in marriage… Hmmm with shaoyou.. how could he not accept such a good offer.? ‘
He had met the shaoyou before, the eldest son of Sheng Fang many years ago when he had gone to negotiate in the north about bankruptcy with Sheng Fang.
It was a warm day outside, giggles could be heard from the backyard and there, he had seen him with his siblings laughing after he had tripped, he had watched as he patted away the dirt from his robes.
He was tough outside, but soft beneath.
Shaoyou had delicate features, and he was an alpha despite his appearance.
Ever since he couldn't take him off his mind, his delicate pale skin, his round fierce eyes and his plump pink lips.
“How could I not accept…. hmm?” he whispered to himself.
He had waited all years for this moment after encountering Shaoyou.
He grinned with amusement,“Such an offer I've waited for. “
An easy offer being offered to him on a plate.
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“Father you’re back, you were gone for a long time! “ Shaoyou muttered as he walked towards his father.
“Pack your things, Shaoyou. “ Sheng Fang murmured
He could smell his father's anxiety and unease thick in the air.
“you'll be taken to the South. Tomorrow morning” Sheng Fang added slowly as he started walking away towards the hall.
Shaoyou froze “The South?? For what, I won’t go!" Shaoyou said.
“This isn't a request shaoyou.. if you don't go, we will all get executed, including your siblings." Sheng Fang growled.
Shaoyous hands curled into fist on his side “But this is…..Not my deal, you lost the war because of your schemes! it's your issue not mine, I will not go because you choose to send me” shaoyou bit back.
A slap echoed through the hall.
Shaoyou’s alpha pheromones flicked, the smell of bitter rum filled the air.
“You don't get to choose, don't be selfish and help your family,“ he growled at Shaoyou.
“That will help you be put to use instead of a good for nothing burden.
Shaoyou felt the burning sensation on his cheek from the slap, but he didn't cry, he kept quiet.
But.. humiliation clawed at him.
He just nodded slowly, and watched his father disappear through the hallway.
He sighed then walked toward his room.
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He couldn't help but look outside the window into the dark sky and sigh.
He sat on his bed, his hand resting on his face.
‘He would have to leave tomorrow morning, for what? God knows. “
He could still feel the burning sensation from the slap from earlier, he slightly touched it.
The South……The empire of Hua Yong, the strongest general who had won plenty of battles, what did his father get himself into? his mother was always right about him.
“He has too much pride, his pride would lead him to his defeat one day,” his mother voiced in his head.
He remembered the day his father and mother were arguing and those exact words.
He missed her ever since her death.
After her death his father had become more arrogant in proving himself, and look what it has caused.
A soft knock on the door interrupted his thoughts, he averted his gaze from the window towards the door.
“Come in” he mumbled silently.
The door was pushed open and there stood Wenlang, his younger brother.
“Shaoyou, are you seriously leaving tomorrow…” Wenlang softly asked as he closed the door behind him and walked towards him.
“Yes…" shaoyou softly mumbled
“Why can’t dad offer someone else?!" Wenlang muttered slowly.
“I can go instead!” he added.
“NO” Shaoyou growled,”You’re not risking it for me." he added.
Wenlang grabbed his wrist," But, shaoyou… the South…. Isn't like the North. “ he whispered.
“Hua yong he is ruthless….. Imagine what he’ll do to you… “ wenlang added nervously.
Shaoyou didn't respond.
Because he didn't know.
“Is father seriously doing this…” Wenlang asked.
“I think father has already decided.” Shaoyou softly sighed as he stood up.
“I need to pack.” Shaoyou sighed,"I’ll see what awaits me tomorrow.”
As he packed he bit his lips to stop himself from crying, he couldn't cry especially not in front of his younger brother, he couldn't show weakness.
“Will you come back…." Wenlang whispered,and Shaoyou froze while packing," Of course I will.” Shaoyou softly added as he gave Wenlang a small pat on his head.
It was a lie but he continued packing.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The next morning he dressed in light blue white imperial robes that fell lightly against him.
He stepped into a red carriage alongside his father, as the wheels began to move he couldn't help but give one more final glance at his home, his empire home, his childhood.
The journey to the South was long and suffocatingly silent, except for the sound of the screeching wheels, his father didn't speak neither did he.
Once they had arrived the sun had shifted, the carriage door and a knight extended his hand but he ignored it and got out by himself, and father followed after him.
Once he was out of the carriage he noticed the empire, it had gotten a lot bigger since war, it was filled with knights standing in a perfect row, their armour shining under the sunlight, and their alpha smell filling the air.
Servants and maids moved swiftly around the courtyard doing their daily task with their eyes down, but whispers could be heard all around.
“That's him,”
“The heir or the North…"
“An Alpha…"
“Offered by his own father."
Although the whispers, he kept his chin high, the southern empire didn't welcome them.
He followed after his father as they were led into the empire, they were escorted into the council chamber instead of the throne hall.
A circular room with a long table full of maps and scrolls, there sat ministers of the South along with Hua yong.
Waiting,Hua yong didn't rise, he sat there patiently, the scent of orchids were subtle in the air.
Emperor Hua Yong, we have come to finalize the agreement. “ Shaeng Fang muttered.
Hua Yong's gaze moved from Sheng Fang to shaoyou, one of the counselors cleared their throat, “ Your majesty if the South is to marry into the North it could cause risks. “
“It may cause conflicts…"
Another counselor added," our majesty, the court might not respond well. “
But Hua yong didn't respond nor look at them.
Silence fell, then Sheng Fang cleared his throat and exhaled slowly.
“In exchange, the North is to be released by the South, and my family is to be freed."
“And the South will provide trade compensation , silver and gold along with medical stocks." Sheng Fang added.
Sustaining his pheromones from bursting and humiliating himself like last time.
The room shifted, Compensation…..
A defeated emperor of the south demanding goods from the south….
One minister frowned, “ that's way too much.." but he was cut off when Hua Yong raised his hand.
This was it, “I don't agree…” Shaoyou spoke out.
“Marriage isn't necessarily…..” Shaoyou continued,voice steady “The North can just rebuild.." he was cut off.
A hard slap came fast, landing square on his face,”Enough Shaoyou!, you are not to speak!" Sheng Fang hissed through his clenched teeth.
Humiliation burned hard across his cheeks, but he didn't dare lower his head or retaliate.
Hua Yong couldn't help but clench his hand under the table,the movement was small and not noticeable.
“I'll wait for your answer." Sheng Fang added.
“I accept, the southern forces will withdraw within a month." Hua Yong then continued,” The trade compensation will also be delivered.”
A smirk displayed on Sheng Fang's face, Hua Yong rose from his seat.
“But don't forget something, ShengFang. the North will remain under the south, the North will never rise beyond.“ Hua yong calmly muttered
Seals were pressed into wax and documents were signed,the trade was sealed.
Everyone got up and left immediately but Shaoyou stayed. He did not move, he kept his head down low,his finger curled on the sleeve of his robes Hua Yong.
Across the table, Hua Yong didn't move at first, he watched.
Hua yong rose from his seat, his boots echoed, he did not walk back to his throne, he walked around the table towards him, he stopped beside him, then without asking he pulled a chair and sat next to him.
“The wedding will be in two weeks.” Hua Yong whispered, and hua yong fully looked at him, he could still see the lingering red imprint on Shayou's cheek.
Something cold flashed through his eyes, but Shaoyou didn't notice.
He slowly reached forward, and shaoyou stiffened, hovered over shaoyous cheek before settling against the marked skin, he then proceeded to pinch the reddened cheek.
“This won’t happen again, not under my roof, not in my empire,” his voice low,then added “You may be here because of the arranged offering.”
“But don’t take this as a weakness.” hua yong added calmly.
But Shaoyou didn't respond. But he removed Hua Yong's hand from his face.
“Dont touch me..” Shaoyou said quietly, the air shifted for a bit.
Hua Yong didn’t strike like most men and rulers would, he didn’t.
“You speak so boldly.. Shaoyou I like that..” hua yong murmured.
Suddenly, hua yong smiled with "Don't worry, you’ll love it here soon.” he grinned, “And you'll get used to me, baobei.” he whispered low in his ear.
“I’ll have you assigned to work on state records and look at trades that were made” hua yong muttered, then stood up.