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Yin Yu considered himself a cautious person. He always planned ahead and minimized risks. That had made him a competent and trusted subordinate. Yin Yu prided himself in his thoroughness. So, when Lord Hua Cheng entrusted Yin Yu to save a prince from the claws of a dangerous dragon, he prepared extensively. He studied the terrain, gained information about the people that tried before him, collected material about the beast he would confront. In short, he did everything to make up for any possible disadvantage. However, even with his cleverness and resources, he could have never accounted for the variable that would be Quan Yizhen.
Despite being a mere servant now, Yin Yu was quite knowledgeable about the current socio-political atmosphere. Information was always valuable, so Yin Yu would take advantage of Lord Hua’s extensive commerce network to keep up to date with the happenings not only in the Eastern Empire where he resided, but also in neighboring countries. So he was aware of the kidnapped prince before Lord Hua informed him of it.
Half a year ago, a royal decree had been released by the Western Kingdom to all surrounding territories. Their precious crown prince, Quan Yizhen, had been abducted by wrongdoers from the Northern Nation and was imprisoned in the snowy mountains where the Blue Dragon resided. This dragon was one fiery and protective creature. It wouldn’t let anyone trespass its lair, which made the situation difficult. Whoever could save the prince, would receive a generous reward and a noble title, bestowed by the king himself.
It was an excellent deal. Many others thought so as well, so no shortage of valiant and experienced parties tried to fight the dragon and bring the prince back home. Still, every single one of them failed.
When Yin Yu set out on this mission, he knew that the odds of success were slim. Fighting a dragon was a high hurdle, and Yin Yu was only one man. However, he had learned a lot from the previous attempts. Yin Yu might not be as fierce as other warriors, but he had an ace under his sleeve: his ability to conceal one’s presence. Confronting the dragon was no option, so Yin Yu just had to avoid it completely. With that plan, he accomplished what many other knights, nobles and rouges couldn’t do. He walked without being noticed into the dragon’s lair and rescued the imprisoned prince.
The prince was a haggard mess. He was underweighted and covered in grime. His clothes were less like clothes and more like rags at this point. Watching him like this, it was hard to believe he was of royal blood. Yet, in that face blackened with dried blood, his eyes shone vividly with sentiment. It pulled at Yin Yu’s heartstrings. He patiently guided the prince out of there.
When they safely reached the mountain’s base, Yin Yu couldn’t believe that the hardest part of the mission was completed in such a swift manner. He began to think that the rest of the journey would be a piece of cake.
That was until the prince, that so far had remained quiet, took his hand and said those dreadful words.
“You saved me. I’ll marry you.”
Yin Yu stopped in his tracks. He looked at the bright-eyed prince. “Excuse me?”
“I’ll marry you,” he replied.
Yin Yu knit his brow. “I don’t follow, Your Highness.”
Quan Yizhen squeezed his hand. “You saved a prince from a dragon. It’s expected that I marry you in return.”
There was a tradition like that, Yin Yu was aware. Anyone who saved a member of the royalty from a perilous situation had the right to have their hand in marriage. There were many oral retellings of that happening. Known figures from different territories had celebrated unions abiding by that unwritten law before. However, it wasn’t something commonly endorsed in the current time. In the first place, it was rare these days to hear of princesses kidnapped by dragons or princes afflicted by spells.
Besides, Yin Yu was no real hero.
“I appreciate your intentions, but marriage is unnecessary.” Yin Yu waved his hand in refusal.
“Why?” Quan Yizhen frowned. His matted hair fell over his eyes.
Yin Yu couldn’t stand it anymore. He took out a handkerchief and rubbed the dirt off of Quan Yizhen’s face. He realized too late that the gesture was overfamiliar, so he dabbed him superficially and gave the handkerchief to the prince so he could continue himself. Yin Yu also took a clean robe out of his leather bag and offered it to him.
“I didn’t come for any reward,” Yin Yu explained while the prince tidied up. “Not for myself, anyway. If any, you should offer that to my lord. He was the one that sent me to save you.”
Quan Yizhen was failing to correctly tie the sash that closed the robe. He looked up. “But you are here. You saved me. So I should marry you.”
Yin Yu rubbed his temples. When Yin Yu was offered this mission, no one told him it would include a fiancé. Wasn’t it hasty? It hadn’t been even half a day since he and Quan Yizhen had met for the first time.
“I will not marry you, Your Highness,” Yin Yu said, as he took the sash from Quan Yizhen’s hands and tied it with practiced ease. “We need to get going, I will bring you to your country.”
Quan Yizhen nodded. “Alright. Then, we’ll marry after we get there.”
If Yin Yu had known this would be the outcome, he would have rejected coming from the beginning. Hypothetically, of course. It wasn’t like he had a choice. Lord Hua has been interested in establishing connections to the Western Kingdom for a long time, and the perfect opportunity had appeared in the form of the crown prince’s abduction. Yin Yu had been serving Lord Hua for several years now—Yin Yu was indebted to him—so there was no way he would refuse the mission. Still, he would’ve liked a warning about this possibility.
The Western Kingdom's capital was about ten days of travel from their current location. Ten days of nonstop companionship. Yin Yu clenched his teeth. He couldn’t offend the prince now, no matter how fastidious or obstinate he was. Instead, Yin Yu did what he did best: He ate his emotions and delayed the problem for later.
Ten days. I have to survive this prince for only this much, Yin Yu thought. Yet, he had the foreboding that the trip would be a painful headache.
All that said, the first day of travel wasn't that bad. Yin Yu had a pair of horses ready for their trip. The path ahead would cross mountains and open terrain. It would be two days until they reached a sizable town. In the north there were only sparse settlements and many hidden dangers.
Yin Yu had thought about the situation beforehand and he knew lying low was of utmost importance. His task wouldn’t be done until he led the prince successfully back to his homeland.
“Your Highness, the road is long and we might encounter people with bad intentions. For your security, we should have a cover story so we can pass inadvertently,” Yin Yu said.
“Oh, what story?”
“If it’s alright with you, we can pretend to be brothers… from different mothers.” Quan Yizhen and he had no similarities in their appearances after all. “We’ll say we’re travelling back to the capital to see our family.”
“Sure.”
“You can call me as you would an elder brother during the trip.” It couldn’t be the other way around, since Quan Yizhen was visibly younger than Yin Yu. “I know it’s impolite of me, but we can’t raise suspicions.”
“I don’t mind, Yu-xiong.” Quan Yizhen said, easily falling into using that form of address. “What will you call me, then?”
“Didi?” Yin Yu pondered. He looked at Quan Yizhen. “Didi,” he called, testing the word. It gave him goosebumps. “I think I’ll just call you Yizhen.”
Quan Yizhen grinned. “Alright, Yu-xiong!”
Yin Yu smiled softly. Maybe the trip wouldn’t be as bad as he feared.
“Once we’re married, you can call me Yizhen too,” Quan Yizhen added.
Yin Yu’s smile faded. It was too early to let his guard down.
By the second day, Yin Yu realized that Quan Yizhen was not what he thought a prince would be like. Honestly, this prince was far too strange. Quan Yizhen didn’t act like royalty at all, or at least, he didn’t act like royalty should . He expressed himself simply and without tact. He ate with his hands without reserve. He didn’t care if Yin Yu watched him while relieving himself—he clearly didn’t get why Yin Yu would go behind the shrubbery to pee. But even worse than that was that he didn’t respect Yin Yu’s boundaries. Quan Yizhen would stick closely to him and ask all kinds of invasive questions.
“Do you have siblings, Yu-xiong?”
“No.”
“What’s your job?”
“Well…”
“Where do you live?”
“Your Highness, I don’t believe this is important. Could you stop asking?”
“I’m bored,” Quan Yizhen said. They’ve been riding half a day through an endless golden valley.
Yin Yu grimaced. “We have barely advanced in our trip. We have a long way ahead.”
“Talk with me, then.”
“About what?”
“Yourself.”
“Besides that.”
“Hmm, whatever’s fine.”
Yin Yu sifted through his memories. Whatever to keep Quan Yizhen from prying into his life.
“Do you want me to tell you a tale?” Rather than conversing, he thought storytelling was a better fit.
Quan Yizhen perked at the suggestion. “Yes.”
“This is a story I read once of a god that was strong beyond par and an envious lesser god that tried to harm him. It goes like this…”
Quan Yizhen didn’t interrupt Yin Yu’s story. He listened carefully to his every word. They finally crossed the grassland and entered a shallow forest.
When Yin Yu finished telling the story, Quan Yizhen was scowling.
“I didn’t like it. What a stupid ending.”
Yin Yu tightened his grip on the reins. He was suspecting Quan Yizhen had a secret agenda to make him combust out of sheer anger. Yin Yu was trying hard to keep his cool, but some things went beyond him. He thought he was a controlled person, but Quan Yizhen seemed to have been born just to spite him.
“Let’s rest a moment,” Yin Yu said. He needed some time to clear his mind.
Quan Yizhen followed his suggestion and jumped down from his horse. He walked a few steps away and opened his pants to pee, right there by the sideroad.
Yin Yu closed his eyes and sighed. He just had to make sure that the prince got back to his kingdom safe and sound. Once he did, everything would be over and Yin Yu could go on with his normal life.
Even so, Yin Yu had believed he could survive at least half the trip unaffected. Yet, the third day proved to be a challenge already. Quan Yizhen hadn’t let go of the topic of marriage at all. No matter how many times Yin Yu rejected him, it was a moot argument.
“I don’t get it. You can get lots of benefits if you marry me,” Quan Yizhen said.
“It’s not about benefits. I don’t desire a marriage like this.” Marrying a prince wasn’t only obtaining, it required you to lose as well. He wasn’t tying his life to someone just because it might make him wealthier. Yin Yu had other ambitions to pursue.
“Is it… that you have someone else? Someone you want to marry?”
“No, that’s not the case.”
Quan Yizhen smiled. “Then, there’s no problem! I will make you happy, I promise.”
Yin Yu stayed silent, his stormy eyes piercing Quan Yizhen. He closed his eyes, opened them again and smiled at the prince, his gaze cold.
“Your Hig—Yizhen, don’t go making promises lightly. That’s incredibly rude.”
“But I’m serious. Believe me, Yu-xiong.”
This was an unending cycle. Yin Yu rubbed the bridge of his nose. His head was hurting.
“Say, Yu-xiong, you don’t want to get married?”
Truth be told, marriage was a topic that Yin Yu had let aside for a long time. Maybe he quite believed that marriage wasn’t an option for him—not with the life he was currently leading—but he wasn’t telling that to Quan Yizhen, they were practically strangers.
“That’s irrelevant. Rather, do you want to get married?”
“Hmm… I haven’t thought about it before, but I’m sure it’ll be fun,” Quan Yizhen said.
“Fun? I don’t believe you are the kind of man that would like marriage very much.”
“It can’t be that bad or people wouldn’t marry at all.”
Yin Yu rolled his eyes. “It’s not that simple. Marriage is about helping each other. You have to work with your partner to maintain a home. Each of you has responsibilities to attend. You can’t dismiss it if you get bored. It’s a lifetime compromise. If you don’t understand that, your marriage will be miserable.”
Quan Yizhen seemed to mull over Yin Yu’s words. Yin Yu took the momentary silence with joy.
“Ah!” Quan Yizhen exclaimed. His expression became suddenly determined. “I understand. Don’t worry, Yu-xiong. I’ll take my chores seriously. I can learn how to cook and clean and stuff.” Quan Yizhen patted his chest. “I’ll be a good wife.”
“Wi-Wife?!” Yin Yu choked. “What—Why would you be the wife?”
“That's because I’m… because you saved me. So I should join your house, right?”
Yin Yu couldn't imagine Quan Yizhen being good at administering a house like the role of wife demanded. Then, he tried picturing a homely Quan Yizhen receiving him at the door using an apron and helping him take his cape off. A shiver went down his spine.
“You’re a prince, how can you be the one married off? In any case, I should be the one marrying into your family… not that I’m agreeing to it.”
“Why can’t I? You’re my savior, so it’s fair that I give myself to you.”
The way Quan Yizhen phrased that made Yin Yu almost throw up.
“Your Highness,” each time Yin Yu said it with less respect. “Just forget about the marriage, please.”
On the fourth day, they reached a flourishing town and decided to stay the night there. Instead of choosing the big, new inn in the middle of town, though, Yin Yu took Quan Yizhen to a small but comfortable guesthouse. Yin Yu reached out to the owner, a kind middle-aged woman, and asked about free rooms.
“Two rooms?” the owner asked. “Sorry, sir. We only have one room available, would that be okay? We can bring you extra bedding.”
It was not ideal, but it was better than nothing. Yin Yu preferred that than to catch attention at a larger inn. In the worst case, Yin Yu could forgo sleep and let the prince have the bed.
“That’s fine.” Yin Yu smiled. “We’re used to sleeping in the same room, anyway. It’s just that two rooms is more appropriate.”
Curiosity colored the owner’s face. Still, she was mindful of her words. “I see, I guess you must be comfortable with each other.”
“Yes, we—”
“We’re engaged,” Quan Yizhen cut in. “We’re travelling around before getting married.”
Yin Yu’s blood sank to his feet. He glared at Quan Yizhen, then looked back to the clearly surprised woman. Yin Yu was thinking how to salvage the situation, when she clasped her hands loudly.
“Ah, is that so? Congratulations! Should’ve told me from the start. We might be country folk, but we ain’t so close-minded. Nothing wrong with sharing a room even before marriage.” She laughed. “Let me prepare your room, sirs. Come sit down and have something to eat.”
Yin Yu stayed silent as she retreated. Quan Yizhen sat down on the table as offered.
If looks could kill, Quan Yizhen would have died a thousand times over. However, he didn’t seem to be fazed by Yin Yu’s rage. Yin Yu sat down across from him, fists clenched taut.
“Yizhen, do you think this is a game?”
“Uh, no…”
“Then, why are you playing around? I told you we would use a specific story as a coverup. So, why did you change it?”
“I think it’s more believable to say we’re lovers than brothers.”
Yin Yu gritted his teeth. “Are you serious? We can’t attract unwanted attention to us. Don’t go and do things like that without asking me first.”
Quan Yizhen pouted. “I’m bad at lying. I thought using something closer to the truth would be easier.”
“What truth?”
“Us getting married.”
At that moment, something in Yin Yu snapped. In other circumstances, Yin Yu would’ve swallowed his anger and tried to be patient with Quan Yizhen. Maybe even let him have his way, let him trample Yin Yu’s own will. But it wasn’t the case now. Yin Yu had tried his best, but having someone constantly testing his patience had worn him out. The thought of having to stand this man for another six days distressed Yin Yu to death. No, in this world, Yin Yu was going to make sure Quan Yizhen heard him.
“Listen to me, Quan Yizhen.” Yin Yu bent over the table, his face looming close to Quan Yizhen. His voice was low but clear. “I’ve had enough of you. I don’t care if you’re a prince. You can’t go around doing whatever you want. If you want to come out of this road alive, you will listen to my instructions and obey them. If not, I will bring you back myself to the damned dragon’s den. Am I clear?”
Quan Yizhen blinked, his cheeks flushed pink. “Yes, Yu-xiong.”
“Good.” Yin Yu huffed. He sat back again. At that moment, they were served food. He was starving. Quan Yizhen kept glancing at Yin Yu, but sensibly stayed silent for the whole dinner.
Next day, Yin Yu woke up in a better mood. Despite sleeping on the floor, he felt light, like he had gotten a weight off his chest. Besides, having a proper bath and decent food would cheer up anyone.
Quan Yizhen also looked refreshed. With his clean hair into a high ponytail, now forming clear curls, and properly wearing the borrowed robes, there was a graceful air about him. Yet, as soon as he glanced at Yin Yu and spoke, that elegance dissolved.
“You look very pretty today, Yu-xiong.”
Yes, not princely at all. Yin Yu wasn’t surprised anymore.
They didn’t stay more than necessary in town. They departed in the early morning and took the road towards the Western Kingdom again. Yin Yu couldn’t be sure if it was bad luck, an oversight on his part or simply a coincidence. But not far into the trip, a mob of bandits surrounded them. Four men cut their path on the front and another three stopped them from going back. They were armed and looked tough.
One of them took a step forward, presumably their leader. “Look at that. We don’t see wealthy lords on this road often. Right, guys? And they’re travelling alone? Can’t be! Unless someone is waiting for you close by? Bet they would pay a good sum for your rescue.”
“You flatter me.” Yin Yu played up. “But you’re wasting your time. We’re no nobles. Just servants carrying out a job.”
Another of the bandits clicked his tongue. “Ah, but I heard that you’re a couple. Not even married yet and already honeymooning. Ah, youth…”
Yin Yu cringed inwardly. This was why a simple, boring coverup story was so important.
“I’m afraid you’re wrong,” Yin Yu insisted. “We are only delivering a message to our lord. We don’t carry any valuables.”
“Those aren’t the clothes of a servant. I might be a lowly nobody, but even I can see your pedigree,” the leader said. “So, are you surrendering peacefully or making us use force?”
Yin Yu was an accomplished swordsman, but defending against seven men while protecting Quan Yizhen was a challenge for him. Even if he were victorious, the risk was too great. Quickly sorting through his options, he could only think of one way.
“Yizhen, I will open a path so you can escape,” Yin Yu said under his breath. “Leave as fast as possible so they can’t pursue you.”
“I won’t leave you,” Quan Yizhen replied.
“If you die here, saving you would have been for nothing! I can’t protect you. Listen to me and leave.”
“Enough,” the bandits’ leader said, pointing his rusty sword at them. “Down your horses. Give us your weapons.”
They couldn’t do anything but obey. Yin Yu and Quan Yizhen dismounted the horses. Yin Yu threw his longsword to the ground. Quan Yizhen had no weapon, so the bandit closer to him moved to restrain him. Yin Yu wanted to step between them, however, Quan Yizhen unexpectedly turned on his heel. In two fast movements, Quan Yizhen brought the man down and took his ax from him.
“You!”
Two of the men in the rear came to aid his companion, but Quan Yizhen didn’t let them. He turned around and fiercely engaged them in combat. Yin Yu was stupefied for a second, but he quickly reacted as the rest of the men attacked. He took his dropped sword and blocked their way.
Back to back, Quan Yizhen and Yin Yu fenced against the robbers.
It turned out the crown prince was a skilled fighter. Yin Yu had expected the prince to have formal training in fencing and archery, but didn’t think he would know how to act in actual combat, nor had he thought he would fight so aggressively. His bloodlust was almost tangible. Quan Yizhen didn’t hold his strength back.
“Yizhen, don’t kill them! It will be troublesome!”
Quan Yizhen glanced once at Yin Yu then looked back at his opponent. Following his request, Quan Yizhen knocked him unconscious.
One after the other, each bandit got disarmed and suppressed. Once the last man, the leader that had tried to run away when he realized the defeat was definitive, fell unconscious, Quan Yizhen threw the now bloodied ax and turned to Yin Yu. Yin Yu cleaned the blade of his sword and sheathed it.
“Are you alright, Yu-xiong?”
“Yes, thanks to you. I didn’t think you would fight them.”
“I’d never run from a fight. And I’d never leave you alone in one.”
Yin Yu sighed. “I see. I won’t ask you to leave next time.”
Yin Yu had to admit that he was pleasantly surprised. He could recognize that Quan Yizhen was a better combatant than him. It was both exciting and frustrating.
“When we get back to the palace, let’s spar,” Quan Yizhen said.
“Spar?”
“Yes. No one wants to spar with me anymore. It'll be fun to fight with you.”
Yin Yu wanted to decline. He couldn’t possibly match Quan Yizhen’s rhythm if the earlier demonstration was anything to go by. And he had decided he would not spend time with the prince after this. Still, something about Quan Yizhen’s words were so poignantly sincere that it made Yin Yu pause.
“Well, if there’s time…” he vaguely accepted.
Quan Yizhen smiled silly. Yin Yu smiled in reflex.
The rest of the trip that day went calm and easy.
The sixth day, Yin Yu began to see Quan Yizhen in a new light. He still got exasperated with his behavior, but he no longer thought of him as a superficial prince. When he paid attention, it turned out that reading Quan Yizhen was quite easy. Although Quan Yizhen’s words and actions were inconsiderate and selfish, they were also genuine and without ill intent. It made Yin Yu have mixed feelings about him.
“Yu-xiong, where do you prefer living?”
“Huh?” Yin Yu was taken out from his musings.
“You’re not from the Western Kingdom. When we marry, would you like to live in the capital with me? Or do you want to go back to your home? I don’t know where you’re from, but I’m fine with any option.”
“You still talk as if our compromise has been decided, yet I have refused you several times.” Yin Yu shook his head.
“But you haven’t thought of it seriously, Yu-xiong. You can’t reject it when you haven’t thought about how good it will be.”
Maybe affected by Quan Yizhen, Yin Yu opted to be direct about his thoughts for once.
“I don’t need to think about it. Yizhen, even if I saved you from a dragon, you don’t need to repay me. You don’t have to abide by that tradition.”
“But—”
“What I’m saying is that you don’t have to feel indebted to me. There must be many suitors looking for a chance to marry you. You should marry freely, not out of obligation.”
Yin Yu realized after saying it that Quan Yizhen probably would have an arranged marriage, anyway. So his words were hypocritical at best. Still, he meant them. They may have come to know each other for a short amount of time, but Yin Yu could tell Quan Yizhen wouldn’t be happy with a loveless union.
“If I have to choose someone, I want to marry you, Yu-xiong,” Quan Yizhen said. “I think you’re the best option.”
“That can’t possibly be,” Yin Yu scoffed.
“You’re a nice person. I like that about you.”
That was an incredibly low standard for a marriage partner. Yin Yu was speechless. That couldn’t be Quan Yizhen’s whole reason to consider him, could it?
“There are many good people, Yizhen. I’m just a normal person.” Yin Yu felt ridiculous. “Please, don’t cheapen yourself like that. You’re a prince. You can’t give your hand to anyone that is a little nice to you, alright?”
Quan Yizhen’s gaze deepened. Yin Yu could see some troubled emotion stir in those eyes that stunned him.
“I said too much, sorry,” Yin Yu apologized.
Quan Yizhen smiled. “See, you’re truly nice, Yu-xiong. I’m not wrong.”
Faced with that statement, Yin Yu couldn’t help but feel like a fraud. He was not kind at all. Quan Yizhen didn’t know all the things he had done so far. All the things he was willing to do to achieve his goals. Quan Yizhen hadn’t seen the real him yet.
“I don’t believe you would truly like being married to me.” Yin Yu bit his cheek.
Quan Yizhen hummed in thought. “No, I’d be very happy if we marry.”
Quan Yizhen was indeed easy to read. So, Yin Yu had to accept that Quan Yizhen meant it when he said he was interested in him, that he really thought Yin Yu worthy of courtship. It was a concept hard for Yin Yu to grasp, nonetheless.
On the seventh day, Yin Yu wondered if he was going crazy, because he now thought of Quan Yizhen as someone agreeable. You couldn’t completely blame him. Quan Yizhen had many good aspects, if you saw properly. So, when Quan Yizhen’s comments were funny, of course Yin Yu couldn’t help but laugh along. Since Quan Yizhen was a good listener, Yin Yu would gladly narrate tale after tale. And, if Yin Yu thought Quan Yizhen looked especially handsome under the dusk’s sunlight, it was because Quan Yizhen was objectively good looking, nothing else.
“It’s getting late, we should make camp soon.” Quan Yizhen suggested.
“Yes,” Yin Yu agreed, slightly distracted by the orange halo Quan Yizhen emitted.
They settled in a patch of grass topped by trees just off the path. Yin Yu lit a fire while Quan Yizhen tended the horses. As the fire burnt stronger, Yin Yu took out a pot to boil some water. Quan Yizhen came to sit beside him—always a little too close.
“Yu-xiong, can you tell me the story of the sun and moon gods?”
“Again? I thought you didn’t like it.”
“You make it sound very interesting. I like how you tell it.”
The night had almost taken over the sky. The stars were already visible above them.
With a sigh, Yin Yu narrated the story again. It was about the two gods that were in charge of the day and night. They were good friends, having shared the sky for millennia. But deep in his heart, the moon god envied the shine of the sun god and lamented his own paleness. One day, he tried to steal a portion of sunshine, but he hadn’t imagined his actions would heavily harm the sun god. When it was found out, the other celestial gods punished the moon god and sent him to repent in exile. He became the new moon, never to reflect again the shine of the sun. He was left in darkness and loneliness.
“I don’t like the end of that story,” Quan Yizhen complained.
Yin Yu snorted. “You knew that and still wanted to hear it.”
“The moon god was so good to the sun god. Why was he punished?”
“Good? The moon god harmed the sun god. He had the punishment coming.”
Quan Yizhen pouted. “The moon god was his only friend. After the punishment they can’t meet again. That’s too sad. It’s a stupid ending.”
Yin Yu hadn’t thought of it that way. “What ending would you have chosen?”
“The sun god forgives the moon god and they keep being friends.”
“It’s a pretty ending, but it’s not realistic. When someone betrays you like that, keeping a friendship is impossible.”
“If the moon god says he’s sorry, I’m sure the sun god will forgive him. It was one mistake, what does it matter? It’s better to leave the bad things behind.”
Yin Yu smiled despite himself. Quan Yizhen’s sincere thinking melted his skeptic heart. “I guess you’re right. That would be a better ending.”
Quan Yizhen sneezed then. The nights have been less harsh the more they approached the Western Kingdom’s capital, but they were still cool. Yin Yu had travelled light when he went to rescue the prince, so he hadn’t packed thicker clothing. He had worried little about Quan Yizhen’s comfort until now. Quan Yizhen always seemed to be fine, no matter the situation, but he was still a prince used to luxury, so it must have been rough on him.
“Here.” Yin Yu gave Quan Yizhen his cape.
Quan Yizhen arched an eyebrow.
“It must be difficult for you to sleep under these conditions,” Yin Yu said. “Sorry, this is all I can offer you. Tomorrow, we’ll reach a big city where we’ll have a place to spend the night.”
“What about you, Yu-xiong? Won’t you be cold?”
“I’m used to sleeping on the road, I don’t mind.” He said as he used his bag as a pillow.
Quan Yizhen hesitated a moment, but ultimately laid down on his bedroll. The waning moon hung high above him. He covered himself with the cape. Sniffing slightly, he detected Yin Yu’s smell on it. That night, Quan Yizhen had a deep and calm slumber.
At noon on the eighth day, Yin Yu and Quan Yizhen arrived at a bustling city. Since it was close to the capital, there was a lot of movement. Yin Yu avoided the crowd and took Quan Yizhen to an inconspicuous house. This was one of the many properties that Lord Hua owned. There, they wouldn’t have to worry about murmurs or assassins. The place was kept clean by minimum staff year round. However, they were informed Yin Yu would come in advance, so they had prepared food and beds for them.
After Yin Yu refreshed himself, the housekeeper handed him a letter from Hua Cheng. He sat down in the living room to read it. The message it contained was concise. Hua Cheng was on his way to the Western Kingdom intending to negotiate the reward for saving the crown prince in person. He expected to arrive a few days later than Yin Yu, so he should wait for him before accepting any deal from the king.
Yin Yu had expected Hua Cheng to come, but he realized that as soon as Hua Cheng arrived, his role would be over.
The truth of the situation fell on him. He would have to say goodbye to Quan Yizhen in a couple of days and go back to his usual life in the Eastern Empire. Somehow, it was a strange sensation. These days have been so out of the ordinary that going back felt surreal. Also, Yin Yu had gotten closer than he intended to Quan Yizhen. So he couldn’t pretend it didn’t make him feel complicated.
“Yu-xiong.” Quan Yizhen walked into the room. “Can you ask the kitchen to make food?”
“Didn’t we eat just an hour ago?”
Quan Yizhen looked away. “I’m still hungry. I wanted to have some food, but when I went to the kitchen, the woman there frowned at me and didn’t let me take anything.”
Yin Yu suppressed his laugh. “Alright, I’ll ask them to make you some snacks.”
Quan Yizhen cheered and sat down in front of Yin Yu. Yin Yu asked the maid to prepare snacks for him. As he looked back at the waiting Quan Yizhen, it suddenly occurred to Yin Yu that, if he were to accept Quan Yizhen’s proposal, this could be their daily life. Living in a cozy house, laughing over trivial matters and enjoying each other’s company. If he were to reclaim his right to marry Quan Yizhen, their time together didn’t have to end.
No. Yin Yu glanced at the letter in his hands. It had never been his right. He went under someone else’s banner. He did his job, and that was it.
Quan Yizhen was the crown prince. He would marry someone of his status, someone that wasn’t carrying a muddy past. Yin Yu had no place beside him.
He had to put space between them. He had to make Quan Yizhen understand once and for all that their paths were to separate. This way he could get used to being on his own easier.
It was better this way, Yin Yu kept telling himself. It was the only way.
On the ninth day, Yin Yu stayed deep in thought during their journey. So far, direct rejection hadn’t worked with Quan Yizhen. No matter how sensible his objections were, Quan Yizhen had found none of Yin Yu’s arguments valid enough to leave the idea of marriage aside. However, there was a topic that Yin Yu hadn’t mentioned yet. It was rather humiliating, but Yin Yu couldn’t think of anything else to try. If it made the prince hate him, then so be it.
“Yizhen, you say you want to marry me,” Yin Yu began as they prepared to have a meal off the road.
Quan Yizhen was sitting on a tree stump. “Yes!”
“But, can you do what married couples are supposed to?”
“What do you mean, Yu-xiong?”
“You have to consummate on the wedding night, you know that.” Yin Yu walked towards him. “Say, can you go through with the deed?”
“The deed… You mean…” For once, Quan Yizhen was dumbfounded. “I…”
Yin Yu sneered. “You haven’t thought about it, right? I don’t think you know how it works between men. You said you would become my wife. You know what that means?”
“Wh-what?”
“I would have to do you.” Yin Yu pointed at him. “Can you accept that?”
“Do me?”
Yin Yu had to gather all his strength not to fumble his words. He couldn’t avoid his face coloring red, though.
“Ah, I guess you wouldn’t know about it. Men can take it like a woman does, using their behinds. I heard it’s quite complicated and can hurt a lot.” Yin Yu narrowed his eyes as Quan Yizhen opened his like plates. “Scared? I understand. This isn’t something a prince learns. Why would you? You get prepared to take a wife, not this.”
“I…” Quan Yizhen bit his lip.
“Are you embarrassed, Yizhen? Maybe these matters are too scandalous for you, but how can you be a good spouse without knowing? I bet you don’t even know how to kiss, Your Highness. What a shame.”
Quan Yizhen kept silent. Yin Yu’s heart was thumping hard. For a moment, he thought he had left Quan Yizhen speechless with shame. His idea had worked. Now, Quan Yizhen would come to his senses and—
“I can do it,” Quan Yizhen said.
“Hm?”
“I can do it! I know how to!” Quan Yizhen stood up.
Yin Yu took a step back, but Quan Yizhen grabbed him by the collar of his robe. He smashed their mouths together.
The first thought that came to Yin Yu was if he would be executed for seducing a prince. He didn't know Western Kingdom’s law, but most places would blame him even if it was the prince who started it.
The second thought, the truly important one, the one that made Yin Yu’s stomach flutter, was amazement at how Quan Yizhen’s chapped lips could be so pleasant.
Quan Yizhen’s kiss was clumsy and wet. The force put into it made it hurt. Their noses bumped. Yin Yu was pushed against a tree trunk as Quan Yizhen kissed him with all his passion and inexperience. Yin Yu tried to push him back, but it only made Quan Yizhen deepen the contact. He circled Yin Yu’s nape with his hand and tilted his head. The new angle was better. Yin Yu breathed against the kiss and Quan Yizhen sucked his lips, not letting their mouths break away. Their teeth knocked together and Yin Yu groaned.
It hurt. It felt good. It made Yin Yu’s mind swim.
Just like the kiss was suddenly initiated, it was suddenly finished. Quan Yizhen drew back and smirked with rough lips at Yin Yu. He had bled a bit.
“See? I can kiss you,” Quan Yizhen said with flushed cheeks. “I can do more too, with you.”
Yin Yu was so dazed, he couldn’t even reprimand him. He simply turned around and cleaned the drool off his chin. He licked his lips. They tasted of blood. Heat pooled in his lower body.
Yin Yu ran off.
“Yu-xiong?” Quan Yizhen called after him.
“I… I have to pee.” Yin Yu walked between the trees. He needed to get away from Quan Yizhen.
His idea hadn’t worked. Quan Yizhen had kissed him and his idea hadn’t worked. Instead of discouraging the prince, he gave him dangerous ideas. Quan Yizhen had kissed him and had said he could do more. Yin Yu was on the verge of panicking. They would reach the capital tomorrow. They would part ways and Quan Yizhen would have to find someone else to marry.
Yin Yu leaned on a tree. Quan Yizhen had kissed him and a mortifying thought had settled on Yin Yu’s mind after the fact: He hadn’t hated kissing Quan Yizhen. He probably wouldn’t hate doing more than that either.
On the tenth day, Yin Yu was hopelessly wishing their trip could be lengthened. But the capital was visible on the horizon and Yin Yu couldn’t come up with any excuse to justify delaying. Before midday, they were already outside the city’s walls. Yin Yu had sent word of the prince’s arrival in advance, so a royal delegation was awaiting them. They brought Quan Yizhen into a fine carriage and let Yin Yu follow on his horse.
The retinue crossed the city surrounded by the habitants that had come out to see their prince return safe and sound. Although Quan Yizhen stayed inside the carriage without showing his face, the cheers didn’t diminish all the way to the palace’s gates. It was a tall and imposing palace, very different from the look of the royal city in the Eastern Empire. When they entered the palace’s grounds, Yin Yu was surprised to see Hua Cheng standing there. He was donning an intricate crimson robe. He looked even more regal than the king himself. Yin Yu hoped this wasn’t the one kingdom that had ruled that anyone using the colors of the sovereign shall be executed.
“Lord Hua, I didn’t expect you to be here so soon…” Yin Yu dismounted and bowed.
“Anyone would say you didn't want to see me,” Hua Cheng crossed his arms.
“Of course not. I didn't mean that.”
Hua Cheng had a placid smile on his face. He looked towards the carriage. “I suppose your trip went well.”
“Yes,” Yin Yu nodded. Then he turned to the carriage. “Yizhe—Your Highness, please come down.”
Quan Yizhen opened the door and came out. His eyes darted around with caution.
Hua Cheng narrowed his eyes with mirth. “Well, I’m glad to meet the so-called crown prince.”
Yin Yu furrowed his eyebrows. “My lord?”
Hua Cheng shook his head. “You did a good job, Yin Yu. We’ll talk about your compensation later. Now, I will take the prince to see the king. I would like to ask personally for the reward he promised.”
Royal guards approached to escort Hua Cheng and Quan Yizhen towards the grand throne hall.
Before he went along, Quan Yizhen turned to Yin Yu. “Yu-xiong, will you wait for me? I want to talk with you after this.”
Yin Yu’s chest tightened. An inexplicable feeling of permanent separation loomed over this moment. He knew his life had only briefly intertwined with Quan Yizhen’s. He had known since the beginning that they would have to part ways, yet…
“I’ll wait.” Yin Yu smiled. “Go ahead, Your Highness.”
Quan Yizhen nodded and followed the guards. Yin Yu stood there until they were out of sight.
He had said he would wait, so Yin Yu did that. However, after a while, he got anxious. Shouldn’t he wait somewhere closer to the throne hall? He needed to talk with Hua Cheng too, so it would be easier to wait for them outside the hall. Without asking, he walked down the same path Hua Cheng and Quan Yizhen had followed before. Yin Yu was covered in dust, with a plain brown cape covering his figure. The servants went about without paying him any attention.
“The audacity to ask the prince’s hand in marriage! What’s that foreigner thinking?!” said an old maid walking down the corridor.
Yin Yu stopped in his tracks.
“It can’t be! Are you sure?” replied the younger maid that accompanied her.
“Heard it from the king’s head maid,” the old maid said. “They were discussing it in the main hall just now.”
“Did his majesty agree?”
“He had to! That foreigner cited the old right to marry after a rescue. Even his majesty has to abide by it. Besides, he promised to reward the person who saved his highness after all. He can't refuse.”
“No way! Marrying off our sweet crown prince like that to a nobody! His majesty should reconsider!” the young maid kept whining as they walked away.
Yin Yu leaned on the wall beside him. Hua Cheng was marrying Quan Yizhen? That couldn't be. Could it? Yin Yu knew that Lord Hua wanted to establish connections with the Western Kingdom, but he didn’t imagine he meant this. Yin Yu himself had said that Lord Hua should be the one taking credit for rescuing Quan Yizhen, but he didn’t think he would want to marry the prince. Yin Yu wouldn’t have minded before, but now, Yin Yu felt betrayed. After all, hadn't Quan Yizhen said he wouldn't marry anyone other than Yin Yu? Hadn’t he said it countless times during their trip? Even if Yin Yu knew those were baseless promises, he realized now that he had wanted to believe them. He had wanted to believe in Quan Yizhen.
All that talk about not wanting to marry Quan Yizhen had been a lie. All the excuses he put forward were but a brittle disguise to his own desire. His chest hurt and he felt breathless. He couldn’t do anything anymore. He had lost his opportunity out of fear. It was no surprise, honestly. Yin Yu had never been the hero of the story. He was a simple side character meant to be cast aside.
He didn’t know how much time he stood there, lost in self-pity. Suddenly, a servant that Yin Yu recognized from Hua Cheng’s house approached him.
“Lord Hua sent me to inform you he will remain in the palace to celebrate his union with the crown prince. He has a cart loaded with gifts from the king. He has asked for you to bring these things back to the manor.”
The confirmation of the marriage was like a knife to his heart. Yin Yu tried his best to not look affected.
“D-did his highness have anything to say to me?” Yin Yu asked. Quan Yizhen had told him to wait for him, after all.
“No, sir. He didn’t mention anything to me.”
Yin Yu bit his lip. “I understand. Then, I’ll follow Lord Hua’s orders and depart to the east.”
Maybe it was for the best. Yin Yu couldn’t face Quan Yizhen and fake politeness. He didn’t have the fortitude to say goodbye to the prince with a smile.
As quietly as he had arrived, Yin Yu left the palace. When he thought about it, Yin Yu wasn’t sure why he thought Quan Yizhen would stay true to his word. Even if he had spent time with the prince, ten days were a short time. Their situation was too extraordinary to really work. Eventually, Quan Yizhen would have gotten bored with him. Surely he was already on his way to forget about Yin Yu. That was how things ought to be.
After getting out of the city, the ride was too silent. The complete opposite to early that day, when he was accompanied by Quan Yizhen. Yin Yu felt hopelessly lonely.
“I already miss that foolish prince.” He sighed.
“Really?“
Yin Yu jumped in his seat and pulled the reins. The horses came to an abrupt halt, Yin Yu unsheathed his sword and turned around. The gifts in the cart were covered and secured by a simple linen cloth. Yin Yu hadn’t taken the time to check them before departing, an obvious mistake on his part. He observed carefully and saw movement under the left side of the cloth. With a swift movement, he pulled the cloth off and pointed his sword at the intruder.
Yin Yu noticed two things. First, the cart had no proper gifts. Just a couple baskets with vegetables and some rolls of wool. Second, in between the wool, a head full of curly hair poked out. Two hazel eyes looked back at Yin Yu.
“Q-Quan Yizhen! What are you doing here?!“
“Following you.”
“Did you go mad? You just got back to your home, why are you hiding here?”
Quan Yizhen stood up, making a mess of the rolls. He was now wearing western clothes, simple and fitting, that gave a more casual impression. He looked happily at Yin Yu.
“You missed me, Yu-xiong?”
Yin Yu gaped in confusion. He straightened his sword, pointing at Quan Yizhen.
“What are you doing here?” he repeated.
“Yu-xiong, I told you to wait for me, yet you left.” Quan Yizhen pouted. “I had to come after you.”
Yin Yu frowned. “Seriously? Well, I didn’t think you would have time for me. After all, you should be preparing for a wedding. Aren't you… marrying Lord Hua?”
Quan Yizhen scrunched his nose. “No. He’s marrying Prince Xie Lian.”
“Prince Xie Lian? Who…?”
“The crown prince.”
“...But you are the crown prince.” Yin Yu pointed at him.
Quan Yizhen looked down and bit his lip. “...I’m not.”
“You’re not?”
“I’m not.”
Yin Yu’s mind got all messy. His emotions were swirling in his chest. “Yizhen, explain yourself. What's going on?”
Quan Yizhen crossed to the front of the cart, to stand beside Yin Yu. Yin Yu was still pointing his sword at him. Quan Yizhen pinched the sword’s blade and pushed it down. Yin Yu let him.
“I’m sorry, Yu-xiong. I lied. I'm not the crown prince.”
“What do you mean? The king asked for your rescue. Your portrait and name were all over the five reigns as the crown prince of the Western Kingdom.”
Quan Yizhen fiddled with his hands. “I was only a stand-in. The crown prince had been in constant danger lately. We suspected someone was trying to harm him, so the king thought it was better to have a fake take his place. The crown prince has appeared only a few times in public. Most people don’t know his face. The plan was to lure the people plotting against the throne and capture them. I was the royal guard captain, so I was the best option, but I made a mistake and got kidnapped. The king didn't want to rescue me, he used me as a distraction.”
“How can that be? A distraction? If I hadn’t gotten you out of there, then…”
Quan Yizhen shrugged. “It’s my duty as a knight. No matter what happens to me, as long as the royal family is safe.”
“That’s too cruel…” Yin Yu understood that was how things worked, but it was still a terrible thought. “Then, when Lord Hua asked for marriage, you weren’t posing as the prince anymore?”
“No, I was still pretending. The king wanted me to take the marriage deal, but that lord Hua figured it out. He asked to marry the crown prince, and he knew I was not him. The king was furious, he looked really funny. He couldn’t say no and had to accept the proposal.”
“So, once you were exposed, you left like nothing and ended up here?” Yin Yu couldn't believe it.
“The king didn’t want to see me anymore, so I chose to come with you. My post was given to someone else anyways. Lord Hua told me to wait for you in the cart. I was covered with that blanket and fell asleep.”
Yin Yu sat down, processing the information just given. Did Hua Cheng know all the situation from the beginning? Had Yin Yu been used like Quan Yizhen? How frustrating.
“Are you disappointed that I’m not the prince?” Quan Yizhen furrowed his eyebrows in worry.
“No. No, that’s not the issue, I only thought you and Lord Hua… Wait, you aren't a prince.”
Quan Yizhen arched an eyebrow. “No, I just told you.”
“I mean, if you aren’t a prince, it didn’t matter if I had saved you from a dragon or not. You weren’t obliged to marry me. Why did you offer it?”
Quan Yizhen scratched his head. “It was the best I had to offer.”
“Huh?”
Quan Yizhen towered over Yin Yu's sitting figure. His eyes were shining.
“I was ready to die. No one cared if I lived or not. But you saved me, Yu-xiong. You saved me and cleaned my face. You told me stories and gave me your cape. I don't have gold or land to give you as compensation for all that. I can only give myself to you.”
Yin Yu flushed furiously. “T-that still doesn't mean you have to…”
“But I want to! I want to marry you.” Quan Yizhen’s eyes avoided his gaze. “I think I had wanted to since the moment you came into the cave and asked my name.”
Yin Yu remembered. When he finally had found the supposedly crown prince, hidden in the heart of the mountain, Quan Yizhen had looked very confused. Yin Yu had approached him slowly.
“Are you His Highness, Quan Yizhen?”
Quan Yizhen had jolted. “Yes.”
Yin Yu had smiled in relief back then. “I’ve been looking for you.” He had reached out his hand. “Don’t be afraid. Come with me.”
Quan Yizhen had taken his hand, and he kept holding it tight until they exited the dragon’s den.
“I was very happy that you came for me.” Quan Yizhen said. “You looked at me directly, like no one else had. I’m happy with you, Yu-xiong. I want to stay with you from now on. Would you… be alright with me? The me that’s not a prince.”
Yin Yu found the question absurd. He wouldn’t hate Quan Yizhen for not being royalty. On the contrary, he was relieved. If Quan Yizhen wasn’t a prince, things would be less complicated. However, there was still something bothering him.
“I don’t mind if you’re a prince or not, but…” Yin Yu lowered his gaze. “You don't know everything about me. I might disappoint you instead.”
“Then tell me! I want to know about you, Yu-xiong. I promise I won’t hate you.”
Yin Yu laughed. Quan Yizhen was such a simple-minded person. Yin Yu quite liked that about him.
Although he was afraid, Yin Yu wanted to tell Quan Yizhen more about the real him. He felt that Quan Yizhen would understand him.
Yin Yu patted the seat beside him. “The trip to the Eastern Empire is long. You better sit down or you’ll get tired.”
The ride to the Eastern Empire would take around six days. This time, Yin Yu could see himself enjoying the long trip. Maybe he would ride at leisure, extending the trip some days more.
Quan Yizhen sat down. He took Yin Yu’s hand on his own and squeezed it. “I like long trips. They’re perfect for telling stories.”
“You’re right. It so happens that I have a very long story to tell. If you want to listen.”
“Of course!”
On that first day of his trip back home, Yin Yu told Quan Yizhen the story of his life, a story he had told no one else. Quan Yizhen listened patiently. He held Yin Yu’s hand the whole time. At the end of it, Quan Yizhen would only smile and tell Yin Yu he loved him.
Yin Yu wouldn't reply right then. He would only have the courage to tell Quan Yizhen a year later—amidst red drapes on their wedding night, held tight in Quan Yizhen’s embrace—about how at that moment, sitting in the front of a cart, Yin Yu was also already in love with him.