Chapter Text
It took weeks to convince Shen Jiu to let Shen Yuan take his place in the court for a few days, so his older brother can enjoy a three day vacation with his fiance Yue Qingyuan.
Honestly Shen Yuan was doing them a favor and Jiu-ge really needed a long deserved break from exchanging fake pleasantries with old coots and an overgrown baby as an emperor. Shen Jiu's words, not his.
"Send us a message if anything goes wrong."
"Yes"
"I already have a servant assigned to remind you to drink your medicine and I have prepared all the tonics with labels to specific symptoms if you get nauseous, stomachache or just your usual bout of stupidness."
"..."
"Do not talk to anyone unless you are spoken to. Who knows what sort of blackmail they could force out of you."
"Gege, I'm not that easy to trick!"
"Even if!" Shen Jiu pointed his fan to Shen Yuan's face and booped his nose. "And the most important rule of all–" Shen Yuan rolled his eyes, Shen Jiu clenched the closed fan on both hands.
"Do not engage with the emperor."
"Do not en– I see you get it now," Shen Jiu lets his fan fall on his wrist, hanging on a small red cord, gripping both of Shen Yuan's shoulders tightly. Staring at his younger brother straight in the eye. "Absolutely do not talk or initiate eye contact with him, when he is speaking to you make sure it is light and chaste. He is a despicable beast, he will devour you whole if you ever show a sign of weakness."
And Shen Yuan was called the dramatic one.
"Jiu-gege I'll be fine. Please do not worry about me and focus on your time with Yue-ge," Shen Yuan imploringly, smiling at his overprotective brother.
Shen Jiu released his shoulders and straightened. "There will never be a time where I do not worry for you, dearest didi of mine," he sighed and gives him an unimpressed look.
Yue Qingyuan makes his presence known, knocking courteously on Shen Yuan's door. He power walks in with the poise and elegance of a general. Shen Yuan likes him a lot.
The general ruffles Shen Yuan's hair before going over to Shen Jiu's side, giving his lover a big smile. Shen Yuan thinks Yue-ge overheard their conversation knowing how annoying and shrill his older brothers voice can be.
"A-Jiu," Yue Qingyuan says firmly ignoring Shen Jiu's gasps ("Don't call me that!"). He placed a hand on his lover's shoulder. "A-Yuan's twenty now, I'm sure he could handle a few days in court."
Shen Yuan really liked Yue-ge! Who knows how this polite and nice man came to love his brother!
Shen Jiu scowled, pushing off the hand on his shoulder and glaring at the smug grin his brother had plastered on his annoying face.
"Whatever, just don't come crying to me when you get yourself stuck in a ditch!"
"Mm." Shen Yuan nodded but his stupid grin was still on his face. Quite smug that it only took a few words from Yue-ge to coax Shen Jiu out of his mother henning.
His brother's eyes twitched. "Your face is annoying!"
Shen Yuan tilted his head to one side, feigning a look of ignorance. "But, don't we have the same face—?
Shen Jiu exploded, grabbing the nearest object– which was a brush– before hurtling it to his stupid brother's face who was still laughing, he easily dodged the brush that was thrown at him before running off out of the room in a blur of light green robes.
Not before peeking his head out of the door and sticking his tongue out at his brother and then slamming the door shut giving the couple privacy.
Both the Shen brothers were adults now and yet to still resolve to petty and childish actions.
Shen Jiu felt a migraine coming up, rubbing his temples.
Yue Qingyuan smiled at his lover before walking towards the bed, fixing the blankets and pillows. For all regality A-Yuan displays as his exterior he could really be a messy and lazy child.
"A-Yuan can handle himself A-Jiu, I'm sure he can manage one court meeting," he assures Shen Jiu, absentmindly cleaning around his brother's room. "I heard only one meeting was reserved for this week."
Shen Jiu's eye twitched. "Don't clean his room! What are you a servant?" He pulls out the nearest chair and sat down, he inhaled then exhaled.
"Should I call for tea?"
He squeezed his eyes shut, hand covering his face. "Please."
× × ×
Shen Yuan stared at the big dark wooden door. Carved with intricate details of demons, fire and the insignia of the kingdom.
The guards who stood beside the door gave him a curt nod and Shen Yuan returned the gesture with a small smile, the other one looked a bit fazed when he saw him but nonetheless they opened the huge door for him.
This is the first time Shen Yuan had ever entered a courtroom. It was definitely too pretentious for his taste. The emperor's throne stood high and mighty, decked in golds and jewels with a blood-red cushion, raised higher than the others. A high table was placed in front of the throne. Stacks of what Shen Yuan assumes will be the issues the meeting will discuss.
The rest of the room had long tables with chairs for each official, the tables parted in the middle in which was where the emperor would power walk towards the throne and ooze importance and the 'I'm more powerful than thou' aura.
Shen Yuan breathes out a sigh of relief thankful that he wasn't late seeing how many unoccupied chairs and gossiping official were walking around. He quickly finds his brother's name. He scurries off avoiding the observant and narrowing eyes of many elders.
His brother wasn't wrong though. There were really a number of elderly members of the court, he only finds like two people with the same age as his brother.
Shen Jiu often spoke of how he wished all the old coots would somehow die and get replaced with younger, open-minded and less pain in the ass officials. Court meetings were a pain especially when they have a lot of officials who aren't that supportive with change and are more determined in following tradition.
Now that the Tianlung-jun abdicated from the throne when the crown prince had come of age, a lot of those old coots were vying for the younger likely more naive Emperor. Offering daughters and sons hoping for a match and bringing them into favor of His Royal Highness the Emperor.
Shen Yuan stays quietly in his sit, lightly fanning himself with a stolen fan from one of his brother's collection. Ignoring the stares and whispers on his way, though some are really funny and annoying.
"Is that Court Official Shen Qingqiu? He looks younger today."
"He's definitely shorter."
"Could it be– He used some sort of age altering elixir?"
"A age altering elixir? How absurd is that!"
"–should we ask for some?"
"No, of course not, it could be his cultivation!"
"We know Shen Jiu has high cultivation but he isn't at that level yet! Look at Court Minister Feng Min, he has higher cultivation than Shen Jiu but he still looks old."
"What was that you wretch–?!"
He was not that short though, the court officials were very dumb today. Did they not read the letter his brother sent? The letter contains Shen Jiu's excuse for his absence in the court.
Shen Yuan was ready to throw hands at one more mention of his height but then– the sounds of bell gong made everyone quickly usher to their seats, hands on their lap. Gone were their gossiping behaviour as their faces were now replaced with a high sense of maturity and pompousness.
A guard announced the emperor's presence as the big door wrung open. The emperor walked in with his presence suggesting power and also his high cultivation as power practically oozed out of him.
He stood tall and daunting, he had a cold demeanor, his eyes flickered with boredom as all the officials in the room stood and bowed. Drenched in his signature colors of red and black.
The Emperor ambles towards the throne and sat down, dismissing their bow with a flick of a wrist.
They sat in stilled silence as his Highness motioned someone to start the meeting. He looked bored, Shen Yuan couldn't help but notice his face up close– as close as eight chairs between the throne and his– and in person. Personally Shen Yuan didn't get to see any members of the royal family. Only through fleeting glances and royal portraits. Shen Yuan did remember his brother tutoring a royal member of the family when they just started in the royal palace.
The portraits didn't do His Highness any justice though, he was more attractive and beautiful in person. Chiseled jaw, curly fluffy hair held in a ponytail– which was really simple for someone like himself but then again anything would look good on the emperor– his eyes were a deep obsidian-black and they are blinding, and was it just him or are those eyes boring into his direction–?
Oh shit.
He was caught staring.
The emperor coolly returned his gaze with observing eyes and his mouth twisted.
Shit. What should he do now??
Like a Shen Yuan thing to do, he gave the emperor a smile, probably out of nervousness but what was he to do?
Oh my God. He just smiled at the emperor.
Isn't there a rule where smiling at a royal member of the family was rude?? What did he just do??
While Shen Yuan was internally panicking on his chair, wearing an indifferent look as his eyes looked at anywhere, anywhere that was not the emperor. He just broke Jiu-ge's rule and he was going to break Shen Yuan's legs.
Unknown to him, the emperor watched his every move, amused at his Shizun's brother. He was quite beautiful too, Luo Binghe was quite disappointed on how a member of his court and a former tutor managed to hide such a beauty from him.
His smile was absolutely radiant as well, when faced with an emperor looking at you, usually people would cower, some bows and the fearless ones nod.
But this person right here smiled. He smiled at the emperor. How adorable, Binghe rested his head on his palm, still staring at this peerless beauty.
He motioned the speaker to stop.
"Shen Yuan," Luo Binghe's voice practically boomed in the court room. "As someone who stands in place of Shen Qingqiu, a member of my court and a former tutor of mine. What are your thoughts in the discussions. I'm sure you have something to say." Luo Binghe was bullshitting and kept it very vague because he didn't really listen. The monotone made it very hard for him to pay attention at whatever the court ministers liked to babble about.
Shen Yuan stood up with grace and elegance of an immortal. Luo Binghe admires that. He held his head high, his closed fan– Luo Binghe just realized this now, the fan looked quite familiar it almost looks like the fan he gave his Shizun – was on his left hand a thin green silk woven around the handle and sliding on his pale thin wrist.
This was where Luo Binghe had a chance to look at him properly. Skin as white as snow, with sweeping thick eyelashes, eyes as green as the emeralds and lips pink and plump.
"–Your Highness, the idea of imposing several programs that aid those who are in need with the use of the funds specifically for helping the people of the kingdom, is a good way of gaining the wavering trust of the people towards the new ruler–" a few minister's murmured at that and for once Luo Binghe found himself interested– "Not that I'm assuming such a thing, but suddenly having a new ruler of which the people are unfamiliar with, would surely put some sort of unease and with this gesture, I am sure His Royal Highness will receive the full favor of his people," Shen Yuan still held his head up high, his eyes almost staring into Luo Binghe's, twinkling and bright.
Luo Binghe briefly looses composure, the hand where he rested his cheek jerked but he regains it immediately, his back straight, eyes closed and nodding.
Not only was he beautiful but smart too! As expected of Shizun's brother but Luo Binghe had a feeling that this brother is definitely nicer than Shizun himself.
He cleared his throat, "That's a good approach, I'll see to it that it happens. The people of this kingdom must be assured that the emperor would do them no harm and is only concerned about the safety and needs of its people," Luo Binghe said, his eyes were still on Shen Yuan, who now sat on his seat. The people who murmured at the Shen Yuan's suggestion of the mistrust the people might have of the Emperor began nodding and murmuring that it was a great idea and just how smart their new Emperor is. Luo Binghe almost rolled his eyes at them.
"I'll take note of that. Thank you for the eye opening suggestion Shen Yuan," Luo Binghe almost murmured his name, he also almost swooned on the spot as Shen Yuan gave him a blinding smile, and nodded in thanks.
Luo Binghe grinned and the other court officials slightly trembled knowing that look on their Emperor's face. It was a penchant for trouble.
This was going to be interesting.
×××
It wasn't often that Shen Jiu had time to stop and smell the roses, it was either because he was too busy making a name for himself and taking care of his sickly younger brother or he just wasn't the type to just stand there idly by and not do anything productive.
Pursuing a romantic relationship also wasn't his type. He had thought Yue Qingyuan looked pretty and his works were admirable and not to mention he was one of the Emperor's generals also hailing from a well respected household.
It was during a gala where he had tripped and fallen dramatically into said man's arms. Shen Jiu may or may not have also felt him up a bit– it was an understatement, he felt him up a lot, which resulted in a make out session in one of the empty rooms of the palace.
In the end, Yue Qingyuan courted him for a few months until they had decided that marriage was definitely in the bag. They still didn't have a date but Shen Jiu thinks he should get his brother settled before thinking of his own. Maybe find him a nice and respected job in the palace and maybe introduce him to a nice girl before Shen Jiu sets a date.
Yue Qingyuan was the one who decided where they should go and he settles on a nice and scenic mountain filled with hot springs littering with bamboo trees that reminds Shen Jiu of his old home back in Qing Jing Peak. It also had a quaint house owned by Yue Qingyuan's family friend who was a scholar and has his house filled with various books and scrolls and was happy to let them borrow the house while he was away. It was way too good to be true.
Shen Jiu almost lost his usual resting bitch face when Yue Qingyuan grabbed his hand and interlaced their fingers together. He grabs their bags on the other hand then leads him towards the stairs.
The very long stairs. Really, really long.
But of course there isn't a mountain without stairs to climb on, this was something Shen Jiu did not miss when he and his brother still lived in Qing Jing Peak.
Shen Jiu thinks he got infected with his brother's indolence.
Shen Jiu tries to reason with himself that this is will be a good exercise for his legs from sitting for almost 4 hours in a carriage.
He pulls Yue Qingyuan towards the stairs, he closed his eyes shut and took one step forward–then Yue Qingyuan pulls his hand off of his and places them underneath his thighs and lifts him off the ground.
Shen Jiu almost drops his fan in shock.
"What are you doing?!" He screeches, putting his arms around Yue Qingyuan's neck in a tight embrace. "Put me down this instance!" No he doesn't want him to, Shen Jiu knows his lover is a general and is often used to carrying likely five times Shen Jiu's weight so Yue Qingyuan lifting him up like it was nothing was really really hot and not to mention their bags were still on one of his hands.
"A-Jiu I saw your face when you just took one step on the stairs, surely this fiance of mine is tired," he says nonchalantly as he continued to walk up the stairs.
"Put me down, your arms will get tired if you continue to carry me all the way," Shen Jiu said, his voice now soft and gentle when in reality he was internally panicking at the biceps that was definitely protruding which every step. "At least put me down and let your arms rest on the 20th step."
"Ah, that's far too short of time for me to hold you in my arms, 50th."
"25th"
"40th
"27th"
"30th"
"Fine,"Shen Jiu then unfolded his fan and continued to cover his face as dozens of what ifs began circling his mind.
×××
When the final minister had his say, Luo Binghe finally got the meeting to end, and he was sure he spent the last few hours staring at Shen Yuan. He was itching in his seat to get the meeting to end, and let A-Yuan remain in the room with him alone, he briefly ignores the flutter of his stomach at the familiar address of Shen Yuan's name but then again, if they were to be married. Luo Binghe will definitely call his future husband that.
Marriage you say?
Of course Luo Binghe isn't bothered at that thought. He had the entire three hours and thirty seven minutes, to imagine what Shen Yuan might look like in red and wedded to him. He would become his Empress, and they would have seven beautiful children together and live happily ever after.
He was definitely the one. Luo Binghe was sure of it.
Luo Binghe doesn't understand how he only got to know the existence of Shen Yuan today. Shen Jiu is very selfish to have hidden such a beautiful jewel.
He rises up to his seat. "Meeting adjourned," he announces, voice a bit shaky than usual because he was finally going to talk and meet with Shen Yuan properly. He waits until all the officials were done from their standard show of bows before filing out of the courtroom and there was already a line waiting for him. Officials who would talk to him and make offers for his favor.
He clears his throat, ignoring the calls of the officials on his side. "Shen Yuan, please remain inside the courtroom, the rest of you. Do leave."
Luo Binghe enjoys the sound of offended gasps and murmurs and seeing his Shen Yuan's eyes widen a split second and then regains composure. Standing elegant, tall, and beautiful.
×××
Shen Jiu takes his Yue Qingyuan's hand as he guides him up the stairs, pausing for a bit, feeling a strange tingle up his neck.
"What's wrong?"
Shen Jiu briefly glances behind him, once they were a top of the mountain, the view was vast that silhouette of the palace could be seen.
"It's nothing," he says before turning back to look at his lover, Yue Qingyuan was watching Shen Jiu with concern, the corners of his mouth turned up, giving him a half smile.
For once, Shen Jiu returns the gesture, smiling meekly at his lover. "Now, where were we?"
×××
Fuck.
Shen Yuan's definitely going to be executed on the spot. Why else would the Emperor ask someone like Shen Yuan to stay? Is it not for execution? Interrogation? If he was going to be interrogated on the spot, then he wasn't going to let some mean and could likely kill you emperor push him around. Shen Yuan has standards! That is if he has time to find some.
Now, it was only the two of them.
Alone.
In the room.
Jiu-ge's definitely going to kill him but he was pretty sure the Emperor would be the first then Jiu-ge would resurrect him and then kill him again.
Shen Yuan bows his head, holding his fan high to cover his mouth. "What could this lowly servant do for His Royal Highness the Emperor?" Shen Yuan really really tried his damn best to make sure the fan he was holding wasn't shaking.
He heard many stories from his brother on how the Emperor is a beast in disguise and is able to sense fears and can eat people whole.
He does not want to be eaten whole but then again, Shen Yuan shouldn't really trust the stories he's now very sure his brother made up.
The Emperor has a lovely smile.
Shen Yuan recalls his brother mentioning that indeed the Emperor may have an attractive face but his smile is horrible. It's as ugly as an ogre and he's a devil incarnate you shouldn't trust him bla bla– the usual rambling his brother goes on on a daily basis if the Emperor does anything other than breath. He doesn't really get where all of his brother's hate stems from.
But really though, his smile is really nice– and Shen Yuan can't help but smile back and then he realizes what he has done and what did he just do??
The Emperor steps down from his throne, taking long strides towards Shen Yuan.
He's so fucking tall up close. He's a giant! Shen Yuan has never felt this small before. He was at least two heads taller.
The Emperor's deep chestnut eyes gleamed, he was definitely staring down at Shen Yuan.
"You are the brother of Court Official Shen Qingqiu, are you not?" Luo Binghe walks around him and Shen Yuan felt as if he were prey and the Emperor was the predator circling his meal.
"Yes I am."
"I wonder why Shizun would hide you from me. For someone who's so straightforward in his work. Shizun sure has a lot of secrets."
This was definitely an interrogation. This was it. He was going to die. A long death.
Shen Yuan fluttered his fan quickly, "I was a sickly child growing up and my brother does not like me wandering off on my own knowing that I have a weak body," Luo Binghe hummed.
"Is that so? Then I surely will not fault Court Official Shen Jiu for hiding such a rare and extraordinary beauty from me if that were the case." Shen Yuan clenched his fists.
Wait–
B-beauty!!
Shen Yuan gawked at him and stopped fanning. He was really thankful for the fan for covering his jaw-dropping.
"That's right Shen Yuan," The Emperor's lashes fluttered, he took his empty hand, briefly admiring the soft skin. "You are quite the character. If only I had known you sooner, I would've whisked you away from your brother years ago." He places a light kiss on his knuckles.
What the fuck. What the fuck. What the fuck–
Shen Yuan felt his face burn, especially if the emperor looks at him like that! Eyes narrowing and burning with...something
The emperor was a well-known flirt from what Shen Yuan has got from palace gossip. The flings he had would never last a day. He tries to convince himself that he might as well be another victim of his charms.
But then again, there was nothing beautiful and attractive about him.
'Please tell me you are bluffing because this isn't good for my heart.'
"I would like to know more about Shen Yuan, that is if you let this humble Emperor?" Shen Yuan briefly looks up and he was still smiling, ah was this what all the women the Emperor flirted felt like? Shen Yuan was no woman though but then again something strange settled on his stomach.
The Emperor's hand was still on his, stroking lightly on his knuckles and he was still looking at him with soft eyes that contributed something to the strange feeling that rests on his stomach.
Of course, Shen Yuan can't say no.
"I– this Shen Yuan is honored to," the grip on his hand tightened before he let it fall down between them.
The Emperor smiled at him and it felt as if someone got an arrow and fired it straight to his heart.
His brother was very wrong.
The Emperor has the loveliest smiles
×××
Luo Binghe held Shen Yuan's hand as if it were the most precious thing in the entire world. He led him out of the courtroom and out in the long halls of the palace. Shen Yuan thinks he has a destination in mind and he can't help but lower his head and clench his fan tight as the people around them gawked.
Luo Binghe seeing Shen Yuan's discomfort glared at them. He quickly led him out and pulls him along not before squeezing his hand to get his attention.
Shen Yuan's big green eyes look at him with surprise. "On the count of three let's run," he tells him and Shen Yuan looks surprised but before nodding, an amused smile on his face.
"Okay, one, two, three!" He pulls him along and ignores the servants and official's call for his name. He guides him along the long palace halls turning and dodging servants on their way. He brings them to his room and let's go of Shen Yuan's hand to close the door.
He grins, the rush of adrenaline kicks in. They both resolve in a pant, Shen Yuan looks red and then Binghe realizes that Shen Yuan was sickly and now was regretting what he had done. He runs to where a pitcher of water was waiting on his table and pours it into a glass before bringing it to a red and panting Shen Yuan.
His brows drew together in concern and watches as Shen Yuan drank the water in one gulp.
"I'm sorry, I forgot that–" Shen Yuan raises his hand to stop him before he could finish the apology. He places the glass on the table and takes out a handkerchief to wipe his mouth he does this all with his eyes closed and then he grins at him.
"Don't apologize, your majesty, that– that was one of the best fun I had in months!" Shen Yuan grins at him, all bright and shiny and briefly, Luo Binghe finds himself blinded. "My brother never lets me run or play when I was younger, so being able to run and get chased your servants was fun. So please don't fault yourself, Your Highness."
Luo Binghe was still staring at him, his heart clenches tight because he didn't think Shen Yuan could look even more beautiful right now, face flushed with exertion and panting lightly, a drop of sweat dribbles on his face and his pink lips were stretched in a wide smile and Luo Binghe swears that he would like to see Shen Yuan smile that for the rest of his life and if it's always directed at him then that's even better.
"I–you– you're beautiful!" He blurts out suddenly and he sees the smile drop and Shen Yuan's face was slowly turning pink and Luo Binghe doesn't mind seeing him like that.
"Uh– Yo–Your Majesty you shouldn't jo–joke like that!" Shen Yuan's face was turning pink.
"But it's true! I– Shen Yuan is the most beautiful person this one has ever seen and I would like to get to know more about my future wife!"
Shen Yuan's stomach dropped.
W-wife?!
"What? Your Highness, yo-you shouldn't–" Luo Binghe then grabs both of his hands letting the fan fall down on the carpeted floor.
"Please call me by my name. Let us drop the formalities," he squeezes Shen Yuan's hands in his. "Call me Binghe!"
"Your– I mean B-Binghe," Shen Yuan avoids his eyes, looking at anywhere but him. "This is all too sudden, I– we both know nothing of each other and this one doesn't know how–" Shen Yuan ignores the feeling that this might all be something he has said to all of his flings.
Luo Binghe lets go of his hand, seeing the uncomfortable look on Shen Yuan's face. "You're right, I apologize if I seem too forward in my advances– but truly, I would like to know more about Shen Yuan." He leans down to pick Shen Yuans's fallen fan, and give it to him.
Shen Yuan hesitates before taking it and murmuring a quiet thanks. "Your Majesty, you shouldn't joke around like that, it would hurt to have someone say that to you only to know that this person might've already said this to another," he says quietly, avoiding Luo Binghe's stare and not seeing the shocked look on his face.
"Shen Yuan– with all the people that I had spent time with, there is truly no one like you. Please give me a chance to know you and for you to know of me as well."
Shen Yuan now looks at him, eyes glistening and this was the look Luo Binghe doesn't want to see on his beloved's face.
"Okay," he murmurs, his fan was clenched tight on his hand.
Luo Binghe felt his heartbeat a little bit faster. "Really?" Shen Yuan nodded. "Then, I suppose a do-over is in order?"
He takes a step back and bows. "I am Luo Binghe, a pleasure to make your acquaintance, though I am the Emperor, to Shen Yuan I am known as Binghe."
Shen Yuan drops his fan and returns the bow. "I am Shen Yuan, and you– uh you can call me Yuan? I guess?"
"Can I call you A-Yuan then?"
Shen Yuan blinked, a lovely blush was blooming in his cheeks. "I suppose," he mumbles.
Luo Binghe takes that as an okay.
He didn't even realize that it was almost lunch. He excuses himself from Shen Yuan to call for a servant. Briefly, a servant enters the room and bows at the emperor.
"Send us lunch in my room and ask for Shen Yuan's favorites from his servant. I expect it all laid out in my room in thirty minutes."
"Yes, your Majesty."
Then he turns around to see Shen Yuan looking around the room, his eyes were on Luo Binghe's books in the corner of his room.
The books he has were used when he was still in the tutelage of Shizun, some were fiction some he just picked up along the way, usually monster information and a few guides on politics and rulerships.
Shen Yuan glances at Luo Binghe, almost as if he was asking permission and of course, Luo Binghe can't deny him anything, he nods.
Shen Yuan almost jogs his way towards Luo Binghe's bookshelf. His fingers drag along the books, eyes scanning for anything fancy.
He sees Shen Yuan finally deciding on a book and walks towards him in calm strides.
"What'cha have there A-Yuan?" Luo Binghe enjoys the effect on being able to call Shen Yuan that.
Shen Yuan blushes but shows him the book about plants. "I also have this book in my room," Luo Binghe hums.
"Does A-Yuan enjoy plants?"
Shen Yuan's eyes flicked with excitement. "Yes! I find rare plants interesting, they have all sorts of effects and they also have many purposes, some could heal, some could poison but all of them are beautiful in their own way," Luo Binghe was mesmerized by A-Yuan, he was so passionate! It made Luo Binghe fall deeper than he already was.
"Ah, sorry I was rambling." Luo Binghe shook his head.
"Never apologize for talking about what you like A-Yuan." Shen Yuan smiles back at him. Luo Binghe can't help but stare at his beloved' guileless green eyes. He was entranced and can't help but lean closer and closer –
The doors open wide, and a dozen servants came in with plates of food. They set it down on the table. It was almost like a feast! Shen Yuan feels his mouth drool at all the food.
After the servants had placed everything, Luo Binghe leads him towards the table and pulls out a chair for him. Shen Yuan smiles at him gratefully, and this is where he notices that most of the dishes served are his favorites and how the heck did the Emperor know?
Another servant came in, and he realizes it's his, bringing in a silver tray full of medicine. Ack!
"Pardon me, Your Majesty, Lord Shen Yuan, here are your medicines for lunch, please drink them immediately after eating." The servant leaves the offending tray on one of the tables before leaving the room with a bow.
Shen Yuan squints at the medicine before ignoring them and focuses on the much more palatable taste. Luo Binghe takes note to make sure A-Yuan drinks all of his medicine.
"Let's eat A-Yuan."
×××
The entire meal consists of small talk and getting to know each other. Shen Yuan learns that Luo Binghe is two years younger than him, his father gave the kingdom to him when he finally reached of age so that he could spend time with his mother and shove all the kingdom's problems to him, his favourite color used to be the color of red as in the blood of his enemies but now it's different and it's a very specific shade of green.
"And why's that Your– Er– Binghe?"
"Because it's the color of A-Yuan's eyes!"
He was a flirt, Shen Yuan notices, but he is very kind too and nice. Apparently his flings were just spurs of the moment or that he was bored.
"Oh? Am I a spur of the moment then?"
"No, A-Yuan isn't like that. When I saw A-Yuan, it was love at first sight."
Shen Yuan squeaked.
Now came the time of his meds.
"Binghe please, keep this a secret between us! No one has to know!"
Luo Binghe absolutely loves the fact A-Yuan is beginning to call him by his given name but that won't help him out of this.
"A-Yuan, it's for your own good. Drink the medicine."
"Come on, Jiu-ge doesn't have to know!"
"Ah, if you drink your medicine, I'll take you to the garden. It's full of exotic plants from different lands that are specially ordered for the palace."
Shen Yuan begrudgingly agrees especially with an offer like that! But he also has a feeling that even if he didn't like drink the medicine Luo Binghe was still gonna take him there anyways.
He grabs the fun-filled with icky green glob and swallows in down, Luo Binghe then hands him water and then prepares 2 more pills.
×××
The Emperor leads him out of the room and around the castle, choosing densely populated areas. Shen Yuan hasn't been able to explore the palace for all of his four years of living here. The places he could only go were his brother's, the library, and the small courtyard connected to his brother's room which was the same, it was held in a single wing.
It was small but it works.
Shen Yuan doesn't even realize they were holding hands until they reached a glass door painted with plants, Luo Binghe gently squeezes his hand before opening the heavy and delicate door.
Luo Binghe takes his hand and opens the heavy and delicate glass door. Shen Yuan had to close his eyes at how bright it was outside and when he opens his eyes, plants bloomed in all directions. A gazebo stood in the center of the garden. A small koi pond and waterfall were somewhere in the corners of the garden.
Shen Yuan could identify half of the plants in the garden and some were not even in the books he'd read.
He pulled Luo Binghe towards each plant he'd find himself familiar with. Rambling and pointing out random facts he can remember to Luo Binghe and Luo Binghe found himself entranced because A-Yuan is in his element.
"And this aquamarine moss also has healing properties only if they are extracted right otherwise a single touch of this can cause psychosis and hallucinations and– Oh! Is that the Eye-Plucker?" Luo Binghe really doesn't mind being pulled around by A-Yuan and it wasn't until a servant came by and announced tea and snacks that Shen Yuan quickly let go of his hand.
Luo Binghe almost pouts at the loss.
The servant brings them tea and biscuits to the gazebo. The awkward silence quickly dissolves when Shen Yuan sees the chandelier like flowers hung on the ceiling of the gazebo. They were shaped like bells and they hung beneath the circular table.
This time Shen Yuan takes the lead in their talks some about plants and some about Luo Binghe himself.
They stayed in a blissful and carefree atmosphere, laughing and chatting the day away it wasn't until when it was sundown, a guard came in to announce the need of Luo Binghe's presence in the Royal Family Dinner.
"Tell them to wait, I need to escort my A-Yuan first," Luo Binghe tells the guard and the guard blushed at the implication. Shen Yuan flushes at the familiar and possessive name.
Luo Binghe ignores the guard and takes A-Yuan's hand and leads him inside the palace.
He gives him an apologetic look. "I'm sorry that we have to cut our time short A-Yuan," he tells him and Shen Yuan shakes his head.
"No, no, it's alright. Duty calls I guess but I had fun," Shen Yuan says quietly. "The time I had with His Royal Highness was one of the best days that I ever get to experience." Luo Binghe smiles at him, if he were given a chance then he would like to make all of his days the very best.
When Luo Binghe doesn't even know where his room is, Shen Yuan chuckles and takes the lead instead, pulling Binghe along with him. They walk slowly, talking quietly about everything while Shen Yuan was fanning himself on his free hand and Binghe beaming at him.
They stop at what Luo Binghe assumes is A-Yuan's room which he takes note of– for future references– both were unwilling to let go.
"I guess this is goodbye," Shen Yuan says, his eyes trailed on their joint hands and then he glances up at Binghe and smiles softly. "You showed me a lot of amazing places, made me laugh, and having you as company makes it even better. Your Majesty– Binghe, thank you for today."
Luo Binghe looks like he was about to cry. He takes Shen Yuan's other hand and squeezes them tight.
"Shen Yuan, marry me!"
What
The
Fuck
This Again?
Shen Yuan blinked. The Emperor isn't serious, right? Tell him the Emperor isn't serious.
He remains frozen, blinking owlishly because there are so many things processing in Shen Yuan's mind.
"Er– your Majesty, you can't be serious, you–" Shen Yuan tries to pull his hands away, but Luo Binghe kept his hold firm.
"A-Yuan, we have only known each other for a day but I could already see my future with you. I love everything about you, you're kind, nice, smart and the most stunning person I've ever laid my eyes upon. You are the one for me and I am hoping that I can be the one for you too," Luo Binghe's eyes glistened with intense emotion that Shen Yuan feels himself getting dizzy
But it still isn't proper as attractive and kind as Binghe is, a wedding is too sudden! A day spent together with a complete stranger isn't enough to immediately have a marriage!
Shen Yuan is glad to know that Luo Binghe does feel some sort of thing between them. Shen Jiu is going to kill him.
"Binghe..."
"A-Yuan..."
"Binghe, I–I like spending my time with you as well but marriage is too sudden! Shouldn't we um," Shen Yuan loses his ability to talk and think clearly, his face was burning. "Shouldn't we wait for a few more days? Uh–" Luo Binghe smile widens.
"Give me a chance A-Yuan! Spend an entire day with me tomorrow!" Luo Binghe was still not getting it.
"Um– uh–" Shen Yuan still doesn't know how to speak.
Luo Binghe then leans forward and brushes his lips to his Shen Yuan's cheeks before pulling back and grinning at him with boyish charms.
"I'll see you tomorrow A-Yuan, I cannot wait! Please take your time to rest and don't forget to drink your medicine!" He squeezes his hands one last time before running off and waving at him.
Shen Yuan walks in a daze, his face frozen and face pink. He misses the handle of the door a few times before being able to open it.
He throws his fan somewhere and walks blindly in the dimly lit room, lighted by the moonlight streaking through his window. When he was near his bed he threw himself face first and screams.
Shen Yuan was really gonna die a painful death.
One of the most important rules his brother had given him before he left was broken. He could hear Jiu-gege's voice echoing inside his head.
"Do not engage with the emperor"
Shen Yuan may or may not have literally broken it.