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The last thing Wu Ming remembers before everything went black was sharp pain all over his body as he sacrificed himself to the spirits to save his Dianxia. As much as it hurt him, with both the spirits tearing him apart and seeing his Dianxia’s horrified and desperate face as he ran to try save him, he’s glad he did it because not only did he save Dianxia but it also showed him that his Dianxia still somewhat cared for him.
He had expected to wake up in an infinite black void, or better yet Mount Tonglu so he could cultivate to become more stronger, but when he was waking up, he was confused by many things. The first was that he could feel that he was lying in a big soft bed, and with how comfortable and soft the sheets felt, it was probably a very expensive one. The next thing was that he could feel someone’s arms wrapped comfortably around him firmly, not in a possessive way, but rather reassurance that he won’t leave the person holding him.
He forced his eyes to open, and what he saw infront of him nearly made him qi deviate. There, holding the ghost soldier in his arms, was the crown prince that Wu Ming gave his life twice to protect. The prince who was the only one who made him feel not like a monster, but as a human who also deserved love. There was no denying it was his god, but the god in front of him looked much different than the one he saw right before he died. Firstly, his highness had a calm, serene look on his face, as if the war with Yong’an never happened. He layed comfortably in the big luxurious bed. He had a calm smile of his face, and looked like he was well fed. The Dianxia he served had a much thinner build, as if he hadn’t eaten in days. But this Dianxia looks like he’s well fed, well cleaned, and happy.
‘No one could ever dream about being as close to beautiful as his highness,’ Wu Ming thought.
He moved slightly backward, trying to get a better look at the sleeping prince, when those firm arms pulled him closer and his face was now snuggled in the gods warm, firm chest.
“Stay in bed a little longer my love, you kept this one up all night with your frivolous demands.” The god whispered as he placed a soft kiss on Wu Ming’s head.
Before Wu Ming had the chance to sputter, he saw it. The chest he was currently being held against was littered with red love bites and bite marks. He also noticed his highnesses neck was also covered in the same bite marks.
Did he, did he deflower his highness?!
He quickly pushed himself away from the placid god and backed away into the wall of the room as the horrifying realization sank into his brain.
‘How could I?! Worthless piece of shit!! HOW COULD I?!?!’ Wu Ming thought as he could feel tears pooling into his eyes.
“San Lang are you alright?” Wu Ming looked up to find the once sleeping prince now awake and retying his under robes.
When Xie Lian finally looked at Wu Ming, he stopped dead in his tracks as he was completely transfixed on the young man sitting against the wall in front of him. He would recognize those dark robes anywhere.
Wu Ming immediately kneeled down infront of his highness and started sputtering apologies.
“Your highness, this filthy one committed an unholy and inexcusable act against you! No words or actions could ever make up for what this lowly one did! Please punish me according to whatever his highness wishes! Stab me! Disperse me! Please take your revenge!” Wu Ming shouted desperately at the trembling prince.
“Wu Ming…” Xie Lian whispered.
Wu Ming pressed his head further into the floor as he awaited his punishment. But rather, instead of feeling a hard punch to the face, or the sharp pain of a sword growing through the stomach, he felt those same arms that cradled him wrap around him once more as one hand came to cradle his the back of his as the other was held firmly but gently on his back, and the prince who he expected to be angry let out loud painful sobs as he held the ghost soldier close.
“Wu Ming! My sweet little soldier boy!!” The god cried as he held Wu Ming closer.
Wu Ming was as flustered as he was confused. Shouldn’t his highness be beating him to a pulp or murdering him for ruining his cultivation. He tried shuffle back but the god held him firmly in place as he cried harder.
“Your highness, t-this one doesn’t understand.”
“Shhhh shh shh, it’s alright, you’re safe, we’re safe now.” Xie lian whispers as he softest cradles Wu Ming head.
“Your highness, this lowly one stole your cultivation, I do not deserve your kindness.”
“No my dearest, you never stole anything.”
His highness pulls back and smiles at Wu Ming eyes full of love and adoration.
“Though if I were being truthful, the only thing you ever stole from me was my heart.”
Wu Ming’s brain short circuited for a moment before a soft chuckle escaped the gods lips.
“Sorry, my husband’s teasing rubbed off on me a little.” He smiled.
Wu Ming’s brain short circuited again at hearing that word.
Husband?
HUSBAND?!?!
His highness, was MARRIED?! Who would dare think they could ever be worthy of his highness?! Not even he is worthy enough to even think the thought of being married to someone as perfect as him, and he was his most devoted believer. Though truth be told, it would explain why they woke up like this. And based on his highness’s condition, he looked like he was well cared for.
“I think I should start explaining somethings to you.” His highness said. He took Wu Ming’s hand and guided him back to the bed where they sat, as his highness held Wu Ming close to his chest and he stroked his back.
“So firstly, your memory regressed 800 years from the past, so the war has long since passed.”
Wu Ming was shocked. 800 years?! Just how long has he been asleep? Perhaps he wasn’t asleep, rather he aged and has lost his present memories. Just then his highness pulled him to his chest and cradled his head while brushing his fingers through his ponytail.
“You were accidentally hit by a curse from a demon while helping me fulfill a prayer, so it’s my fault your like this. I do hope my beloved can forgive me for this mistake.” He says softly as he tickles under Wu Ming’s chin with his finger.
“Your-,” Wu Ming stutters as his mind faulters from what’s happening. His highness is being so soft and affectionate towards him, nothing like the Dianxia he saw last time. He wishes he could raval in it for eternity, but for now he still has questions.
“Your highness-,” “gege” Wu Ming stops to blink. “P-pardon?” “Wu Ming calls me gege, and I am not his superior, so call me gege from now on.” Xie lian says as he presses his forehead to Wu Ming’s.”
“G-Gege?
“Yes, my love?”
Oh, oh god. Wu Ming thinks something in his brain just short circuited because he can’t think of anything besides the gorgeous creature in front of him holding him and calling him his, “beloved.”
“C-could you explain to me exactly what happened the past 800 years? What happened after I dispersed?”
His highness pulled back with a shocked and sad look on his face. “Oh how rude of me. I completely forgot to show you all the wonderful things you have built! Come, I’ll show you everything.” He says as offers his hand, and Wu Ming accepts it without hesitation.
-
Wu Ming and Xie Lian walk with linked arms as his highness talks about the manor Wu Ming woke up in. Apparently it’s an ancient building that Dianxia’s, “beloved” had built from the ground up, along with the rest of Ghost City. Just hearing that word from the princes mouth made his blood boil. How dare he? How dare anyone think they could ever be good enough to marry someone as radiant and selfless as his highness. Even he isn’t worthy to touch the holy arm that’s linked around his filthy one. Just then, his highness stopped in his tracks.
“Oh, I almost forgot!” He said as a clapped his hands together and led Wu Ming down a hallway and outside the house.
There, there was an exotic, beautiful flower garden full of different kinds of flowers. The area was full of so much flowers that Wu Ming didn’t know half of them even existed until now. There were tall ones with vibrant colors and patterns, and smaller, simpler ones that lined different beds.
“This is one of my favorite places in the whole manor.” His highness explained as he led Wu Ming through the garden. “When my husband was lonely while he looking for me, he would work on this garden because he knew that I loved flowers.”
They stopped at a flower bed full of small white jasmine flowers. The same flower that Wu Ming had offered his highness time and time again. These flowers are my favorite because they remind me of him, and how much he did for me.” His highness said as he turned to face Wu Ming with a sad look on his divine face.
“I brought you here because I wanted to apologize to you the best way I could think of.” His highness bent over and picked a white flower from the bed and gently tucked it in Wu Ming’s ear.”
“I am so sorry, so sorry, for everything I did to you. You were only trying to protect me and I treated you like dirt. I truly believed no one cared for me and were all going to abandon me. But all you were doing was trying to give me a sense of peace. I didn’t realize how sincere you were until the moment I lost you. I never even got the chance to thank you for staying with me even when I was lost in darkness. This silly old god hopes you know how sorry he is for his mistakes with you.” His Dianxia said as he looked into his eyes and held both of his hands.
“Your highness need not apologize to this one! He knew that his highness was suffering and he was only doing his job as your follower!!” Wu Ming said quickly.
“Oh there must be something I could do to repay you for everything you’ve done for me!” His highness said.
Xie Lian stops and puts his hand to his chin, looking deep in thought for a moment.
“Oh I know!” He exclaimed. “There is still much of the city to show you! Why don’t I take you on a date in ghost city! I will show you all of our favorite places in the realm and the stories behind them!”
“A-A DATE?!?!” Wu Ming exclaimed.
“Yes! We haven’t had a proper date in a while so this is a great opportunity to spend some time alone together! But before that, could I ask you to do one thing for me?”
Wu Ming was still trying to grasp that his highness has asked him out on a d-d-date before registering that he’s asking him to do something.
“Of-of course your highness, anything you ask me to do I will do it.” Wu Ming said quickly.
Xie Lian smiled as he lightly grabbed Wu Ming’s mask. “Won’t my most noble devotee show me his beautiful face, he doesn’t have to if he’s not comfortable, but I would love to see the face of my beloved.”
Wu Ming bows his head low. “This one will do anything for your highness, regardless of his own feelings. But this one’s face is to grotesque to be seen by you. He will surely be repulsed when he sees me.”
Xie lian playfully shakes his head before taking Wu Ming’s face into his hands and lifting him to meet his eyes. “My Wu Ming could never repulse me, even if he wanted to.”
Xie Lian leaned forward and slowly took the mask off the ghost soldiers face. What laid underneath was the face of a handsome young man, with snowy pale white skin, sharp nose, chin, and cheekbones, and a bright, ruby red eye.
“There you are, there’s my sweet husband.” His highness flashed Wu Ming another one of his bright, gentle smiles before leaning forward and pressing a soft kiss on Wu Ming’s forehead.
Wu Ming’s vision goes dark as the last thing he feels is his face heating up and his very much dead heart skipping a beat.
————————————————————-
If you were to tell Wu Ming when he was serving his Dianxia that he would one day wake up to his prince smiling at him, hugging him, taking him on dates and treating him like he was actually worth something, he would have either laughed in your face, or cut you down with his sword for insulting his highness by saying he would insult himself like that.
And yet, when Xie Lian stepped out of the curtains, wearing a luxury red and silver robe with a full face of makeup that complimented his outfit. Whatever air that had been left in Wu Ming’s long deceased body was immediately knocked out of him as he almost lost all his strength to stand up and walk.
Xie Lian eagerly grabbed his arm and led him out of the manor, and into Ghost City. It was a big and wild place, full of different odd looking ghosts. One ghost had the head of a boar and was chopping up what looked like a human leg. Another looked like a human sized frog who was pickpocketing someone at one of the stalls. And another didn’t even have his head attached to its body, he was just holding in nonchalantly under his arm while he flirty with a brothel worker.
But despite how weird and scary they looked, they all smiled and greeted him and his highness with kind words and gestures.
“Grand uncle! It would be this lowly one’s honor if you and Chengzhu would try their roasted eyeballs on a stick!”
“Don’t be stupid! Grand uncle and Chengzhu don’t want that slop your serving! Their classy! Try some of my famous toe tanglu, the meat makes it both sweet and savory!
“Is that really Chengzhu? I’ve never seen him in that skin before!”
“Who cares? It’s just as handsome as his usual form!” A ghost woman squeals.
Despite their obnoxious and crude behavior, Wu Ming could tell their kindness towards him and Dianxia was sincere. His Dianxia led them to a nice looking restaurant overlooking a giant lake. Once they were settled and ordered their food, Wu Ming bowed his head towards the prince, thanking him for the meal.
Dinner goes very well, his highness talks all about his husband, everything he has done for him and how much he loves and cares for him. As much as Wu Ming was grateful to this special someone for treating his highness the way he deserved, underneath that gratitude lay a deep and festering sense of jealousy, jealousy that he wasn’t the one that his highness was gushing over, jealousy that he wasn’t the cause of that bright smile.
Jealousy that he will never be loved by his highness as much as he loves this man…
When the food finally arrived, they fell into a comfortable silence as they ate. Then Xie Lian picked up a spoon and held it to Wu Ming’s lips.
“G-gege?!”
“This one said he wanted to reward his most devoted believer, and he intends to keep that vow. Now eat up, you must be starving.”
Wu Ming stared at the spoon for a while before eating it slowly. For a moment he could feel as if his dead heart skipped a beat.
After dinner, they take some time explore the stalls in the marketplace. His highness showed him both of he and his husband’s favorite stalls to shop at.
Wu Ming liked to look at the butterfly jewelry at this one stall run by a friend woman with an extra eye on her forehead. When Xie Lian noticed how he was staring at a particular butterfly hairpin, he handed a generous amount of coins to the woman and gently styled the hairpin into Wu Ming’s hair.
“Gege shouldn’t-“
“Hush, it’s this old gods honor to help make his believer more beautiful than he already is.” Xie lian said.
After a few more hours of being dragged all over the city and being spoiled with lavish gifts. His highness decided that they both probably had enough for the day.
“I think that’s enough shopping, would you like to head back now?”
“Of course, gege.”
They make their way back to Paradise Manor and back to the giant bedroom, where they place the gifts for Wu Ming in the closet, as they settles on the bed. Xie Lian then takes out a comb from his long sleeve and starts gently brushing Wu Ming’s hair.
“The spell cast on you only lasts for the day, so you should gain your memories back in a few hours.”
“I see.”
They go into a blissful silence for a while before Xie Lian stops combing and starts playing with Wu Ming’s hair.
“As happy as I am that you will return to normal soon, I wish I could spend more time with you. I still feel like I haven’t convinced you on how much you mean to me.”
Wu Ming suddenly turned around, took one of Xie Lians hands, looked him dead in the eyes and said, “His highness doesn’t need to do anything, he has shown me that his kindness exceeds to things, even repulsive lowly creatures like me.”
“Wu Ming.”
“Sorry gege.”
Xie Lian sighs as he gently organizes Wu Ming’s hair. Hua Chengs hair had always been soft and silky, so he always loved playing with it. Suddenly, he got a devious idea and smiled.
He then grabbed Wu Ming’s face in both of his hands and kissed his forehead, leaving a red imprint of his painted red lips on the ghost’s forehead.
“Y-Your highness?!”
Xie Lian ignored him and pushed him onto the bed, kissing him again on his nose, then on his cheek, then on his cursed red eye, then on his mouth. Xie lian kissed Wu Ming all over his face for what felt like forever, before pulling away and giving him one last deep kiss on his mouth.
When Xie Lian finally pulled away, Wu Ming looked like he got into a tassel with an overeager prostitute. His hair was all over the place, he was panting, as if he ran all the way up a tall mountain, and there were red lipstick marks all over his face. Xie Lian giggled as he layed down next to him and cradled Wu Ming in his arms.
Any thoughts of all this being a dream were destroyed the moment his highness placed his warm soft lips on Wu Ming’s forehead. His eyes were rolled to the back of his head as he took deep breathes trying to calm himself down. Even though he was a ghost and didn’t breathe air, he felt like he was drowning when his highness connected their lips together and when his tongue entered his mouth. He didn’t know how long he was like that, blushing and panting on his highnesses bed like a mess, before he felt something drip from his nose.
His highness simply giggled and used the sleeve of his robe to clean the blood spewing from Wu Ming nose.
“And now this husband know how feels when you tease him.” He says fondly.
Husband?
Wait…
WAIT…
“I-I’M YOUR-“ Wu Ming shoots up and stares at his highnesses. Xie lian laughed and eagerly nods his head.
“I thought I made that clear just a moment ago when I was covering your face with affection.” He says as he laughs.
This was it, this was what caused Wu Ming to finally collapse and pass out on the bed. The last thing Wu Ming saw before he closed his eyes is the blurry face of his highnesses bed like staring at him, concerned.
—————-
“If I had known gege would spoil this one so much in his old form, I would’ve transformed centuries ago.” A newly back to normal Hua Cheng said as he looked at his kiss-marked face in a mirror.
“San Lang!!” Xie lian said embarrassed.