Chapter Text
The battlefield was riddled with corpses. The acrid stench of rotting flesh and blood, of ash and burning corpses, did not stop the crown prince of XianLe from shouting orders and fighting of the Yong’An army.
He had to stay strong for his people.
He couldn’t show weakness.
But he knew they had already lost. More than half of the XianLe army lay amongst the dead, and they wouldn’t be able to keep up the fight for much longer.
Despite being an omega, Xie Lian was known for being the strongest swordsman in XianLe and beating all of his opponents. Everyone was relying on him to win. His parents, too stubborn to leave and hidden away in the palace.
His army, still fighting desperately day after day after day.
And his people, who were terrified and begging him for peace.
Was there any way for them to escape?
Could they find peace?
Could he find peace?
He was so tired, his heart begging for an end to this war, to this senseless slaughter.
Everything came to a halt as he suddenly found himself standing in front of Yong’An’s king, Lang Ying. Once a man who he had helped out of kindness, now his bitter enemy.
Xie Lian was so tired. “Must we fight?” He asked, “Surely there’s another way we can settle things.”
“Surrender to our terms and conditions and we’ll stop our attack.” Lang Ying said simply.
Xie Lian rubbed his head between his brow. “We already told you that we don’t have those kinds of funds that we can just hand out. We’re also affected by the drought, and improving our crops and water supply has put a massive dent in our budgets.” He explained for what felt like the hundredth time.
But as usual, his words were ignored and fell on deaf ears.
“And yet you build statues out of gold and hold exotic festivals.” Lang Ying pointed out.
Xie Lian felt frustrated and angry. Did this man know nothing of budgets? He agreed that the golden statues were excessive, but they were his fathers doing and he had no say.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry your kingdom is suffering! But so is ours and war won’t change that-it is making it worse!” Xie Lian pushed, “this has to stop!”
“You’re right. This ends today.”
Xie Lian watched as the alpha drew his sword. He resigned himself to the fact that he was going to have to fight and mediation would not work no matter what he tried-no matter how desperate he pleaded their case.
He took a fighting stance, his bloodstained sword held at the ready.
Their blades clashed. Xie Lian deflected his blade and swung his sword downward, but the king managed to dodge out of the way just in time, though not without getting a nick on his thigh. The sharp sound of steel hitting steel keened through the air, their blades locked as they both tried to get the upper hand on each other, though eventually Xie Lian found it pointless and kicked him in the shin to gain a chance to jump away.
But he wasn’t expecting the king of Yong’An to grab his wrist before he could retreat completely, and he wasn’t expecting the blinding, searing pain he felt when Lang Ying ran his sword through his shoulder and out the other side, rendering him down on his knees.
He screamed in agony and despair, knowing it was defeat. The pain was unbearable, blood staining his already dirty white robes and splattering on the ground.
Xie Lian heard the sound of footsteps amidst the sound of the ringing in his ears.
“We’ve captured them, your majesty. What would you like us to do?”
“Kill the entire royal family. Except for the crown prince-leave him in my care.”
“No-NO!” Xie Lian shouted, but was silenced with a swift knock to the back of the head, knocking him out.
Xie Lian came to in the back of a caravan, hands and feet bound uncomfortably, his shoulder in unimaginable pain. It throbbed, sending sharp spikes of pain straight down his arm and into his hand, his fingers tingling from nerve pain. He realised, after a long moment of waiting for his senses to return, that he couldn’t see, and that he’d been blindfolded.
He wept.
He mourned his lost kingdom. He mourned the death of his family, who he would never get to see again-who he failed.
But most of all, he felt anger at himself for being such a failure and disappointment.
The caravan hit a bump in the road, causing Xie Lian’s injured shoulder to jostle painfully. He tried not to make a sound, not wanting to alert his captors that he was awake, but a whimper of pain slipped past his lips as he grit his teeth against it, trying his best to endure the agony.
Why wasn’t he dead?
Why didn’t Lang Ying kill him?
It didn’t make sense.
The caravan came to a stop, and he heard movement outside. The sound of footsteps crunched on the ground outside as they came closer alerted him before the back of the caravan opened. Someone hopped up into the caravan with him.
“How are you feeling? I imagine you must be in quite a lot of pain.” Lang Ying’s voice sounded from close to him, most likely across the other side of the caravan.
“Where are you taking me?” Xie Lian asked, at the very least wanting to know his fate. He refused to show his pain.
“The kingdom of Ai Hua.” He replied, “You’re useful to me.”
“How?” Xie Lian’s voice was dull, lifeless.
“There’s a rumour that the rulers’ of Ai Hua have yet to find a concubine to their tastes, and well…I need to seek aid and trade deals with them.”
Ah.
Xie Lian had met the twin kings before. They were kind, from memory. He hoped they at the very least would let him sleep somewhere comfortable. He could deal with the pain on his own.
You aren’t going to scream and shout at me?” Lang Ying asked calmly, interested by the fallen Prince’s actions.
“What’s the point?” Xie Lian asked, “It won’t get me anywhere. There’s no escape.”
“Releasing anger.” The king replied simply. “You can’t hold it in. It’s not good for you.”
Xie Lian wanted to laugh and spit in his face. He wanted him to release his anger?
What a hypocrite.
“…just tell me how long the trip will be.”
“About a month.”
Xie Lian was silent after that. He wouldn’t answer any more of Lang Ying’s questions, or make conversation with him. Taking his silence as his queue to leave, Lang Ying hopped out of the caravan and closed the doors.
It was far from a pleasant journey. His shoulder was unable to heal from the wound constantly reopening with each bump in the road, and none of his travelling companions, save for Lang Ying treated him well.
So it was mostly relief he felt when they finally hit smooth road and the telltale sounds of a vibrant city that Xie Lian remembered well. A country, that was famous for their vibrant red flower that glowed at night under the full moon.
They continued for a while before suddenly coming to a stop. Xie Lian waited, the doors opened, and he was hauled out roughly onto his feet and shoved forward. A door opened and a bell chimed above, so Xie Lian could only assume they had arrived at an inn.
A moment later, he was being hauled up a wooden staircase by his good arm.
Soon, a hot bath was being prepared and his bindings removed from his wrists, though he was weak and ill from lack of proper food and drink, and they hadn’t been treating his wound either.
He wondered if he was developing sepsis.
Whoever was in the room with him started undressing him. From their scent, they were omega, but he couldn’t figure out if they were male or female.
“Sir, please bear with me, this will hurt.” A soft voice sounded, with the gentleness of a young woman.
Well, that was a little humiliating.
He grunted as she pulled bloodied fabric away from the wound as gently as she could, but it had dried in spots and gotten stuck, so she grimaced as she did what she felt was kindest in that moment and ripped it off.
“I’m so sorry.” She apologised, sounding genuinely apologetic. “It had all dried and was stuck, and I didn’t want to make you suffer any more than you already are…”
This woman was showing him kindness, even though he was a prisoner.
“Thank you.” He replied tiredly.
“Of course!” She replied, and quickly hurried on with her job of undressing him entirely and helping him into the bath while he was still blindfolded.
She scrubbed him of all the dirt and grime he was covered in, and warned him she would be removing his blindfold, shocking him when the light assaulted his senses. He couldn’t see properly, having been blindfolded for so long, so he closed his eyes on reflex.
The young woman gently washed his face, then moved onto his grimy hair and gave that a thorough wash, too.
“May I ask what time it is?” Xie Lian asked softly.
“It’s not yet noon.” She replied as she worked at a steady pace, beginning to apply oils and other products to his hair.
“I see.”
She dabbed gently at his wound again before letting the warm cloth gently rest there once more after rinsing it in clean water.
“Your wound is infected. You need medical help.” She said with concern. “Will you allow me to drain some of the fluid?”
“You have medical knowledge?” Xie Lian asked.
“Some. I learned from the healers back in Yong’An.” She explained softly.
He shook his head. “If you don’t get on with your task, you’ll get in severe trouble. I don’t want that for you.”
“But-“
“I know it’s bad. I’ll probably be able to get some help at the palace.” He tried to assure her, not wanting her to worry over him of all people.
He didn’t matter any more.
“I’m so sorry I can’t do more for you, your highness.”
“You’ve done plenty. Thank you for your kindness.” He replied.
“It’s the least you deserve.” She said with a smile that he couldn’t see, but could hear in her words.
Once he was clean and smelling nice, the young woman acting as his handmaid dressed him in fine red silk wedding robes, styled his hair and did a light layer of make up before placing the sheer red veil over his head to cover his face.
“Please let me help you down the stairs,” she said.
He nodded.
She gently took his uninjured hand and guided him out of the room and down the stairs, one by one, until they reached the bottom.
Then someone else took him by his injured arm and he growled as intense agony swept down his limb and through his shoulder and neck.
“Quiet, omega! You’re lucky you’re even alive, thanks to our gracious king!” The alpha spat.
Xie Lian was grateful for the veil that shielded his face from the spit, and hid his look of disgust.
He was shoved out the door with more force than necessary. “Get in the carriage with his majesty.”
The handmaid quickly noticed that Xie Lian couldn’t see the carriage, so she hurried to guide him, and assisted him up inside.
“Thank you for your help,” Xie Lian said, sincerely grateful to her, “What’s your name?”
When he heard her gasp, but it was followed up with a silence, he realised she may be put in danger, so he simply smiled.
“Take care.”
He sat down and the carriage door shut. Then, he was stuck in a stuffy carriage with Lang Ying all the way to the palace.
Hua Cheng was in a foul mood. He and San Lang had heard ahead of time that the supposed gift they would be receiving from the king of Yong’An was a rather beautiful concubine, but they weren’t overly interested. They didn’t mind having them work other jobs though, just to get away from that shitty king.
Said shitty king was now standing before them, along with a striking figure in red whom they instantly recognised. A mixture of rage and worry consumed him in that moment, and he could feel San Lang’s emotions through their bond, his fury, his concern, his anxiety.
San Lang stopped braiding his hair for a moment to lean in to him and whisper: “He’s ill, and he seems to have an injury. He’s not walking well either.”
Hua Cheng had noticed the strange way he walked, how he favoured his left arm over his right. He could tell just from the way his chest was rising and falling that his breathing was strained.
They didn’t know the prince well, but through the interactions they’d had with him, they knew he was genuine and pure, the only thing good worth fighting for.
A rare diamond worth protecting. A diamond they were regularly pulled to.
“What do you want to do, San Lang?” Hua Cheng asked.
“I’ll tend to his injuries. I want to see exactly how bad they are myself.” San Lang answered.
“Alright.”
San Lang returned to braiding his hair, while Hua Cheng returned his cold gaze to the king in front of him.
“Welcome to our kingdom. I trust your journey was comfortable, your majesty?” Hua Cheng said, sounding uninterested.
“It was. Thank you.” Lang Ying replied coolly. “I would like to thank your warm welcome, and present to you your promised gift.”
San Lang finished off the braid and tied it off with a red ribbon, letting it fall through his fingers to drop back against his brother’s chest. San Lang turned so that he was facing the king properly and crossed his legs. He was wearing one of his more…alluring attires, and a few of the alphas part of the delegation didn’t know what manners were.
“I’d avert your eyes if I were you. I am, in fact, still a king.” He smiled chillingly, and once they got the message, San Lang turned his eyes onto Lang Ying.
“We thank you for your kind generosity.” He said as he hopped off his perch on the arm rest of Hua Cheng’s throne.
He walked down the steps and then over to Xie Lian, who lifted his head at the sound of his jingling anklets and jewellery, and footsteps on the marble floor. “You can discuss your business with Hua Cheng. I’ll be taking our bride.”
“Oh, er, of course.” Lang Ying smiled awkwardly, watching as San Lang gently led Xie Lian away by the hand.
Hua Cheng stood, “Well, if you wouldn’t mind following me, then. I believe refreshments have been served.”
San Lang gently eased Xie Lian down to sit on the bed in the private room of their small medical wing. They hadn’t really spoken yet, other than San Lang giving Xie Lian directions for where to step after he realised he couldn’t see and offering soft assurances.
“Do you mind if I remove the veil?” San Lang asked politely.
“…but the ceremony?”
San Lang chuckled. “That won’t be for a number of days. There are ways we prefer to do our weddings, and I’m afraid that king out there is rather…stupid.”
“Oh.” Xie Lian said, “Then, please go ahead.”
San Lang gently lifted the veil off of his face, and as much as San Lang wanted to say he was beautiful, Xie Lian just looked so sick.
“You have a fever.” He stated.
“Oh. Do I?” Xie Lian asked weakly.
San Lang lifted his hand and placed the back of it against his forehead. “Yes, and it’s high.”
He stood and walked over to the door, opening it and pulling aside one of the servants that worked in the palace. “I need warm and cold water brought here as quickly as possible.”
The servant nodded, “Yes, your majesty.”
San Lang closed the door again and returned to Xie Lian, gently taking his hands in his own and looking them over for signs of injury.
“What happened to your arm?” San Lang asked, voice soft.
Xie Lian froze. He opened his mouth, about to speak, but San Lang had a feeling he knew what was about to come out.
“Please don’t trouble yourself. I’ll be fine, your majesty.” Xie Lian said.
San Lang sighed softly. “I am a trained medic, you know? My conscience isn’t going to let me let this go. I will knock you out and treat you while you’re asleep if I have to.” He added, “And please call me San Lang. No titles.”
Xie Lian smiled. He wished he could see him properly.
After a soft sigh, Xie Lian spoke again. “When Lang Ying and I were fighting in XianLe, he stabbed me clean through the shoulder.”
San Lang wanted to kill Lang Ying even more.
“Your highness, if you don’t mind, could I please see the wound?”
Xie Lian nodded and pushed the collar of his robes down and off with his good hand, while he let his injured arm rest.
When San Lang saw the angry red and swollen infected wound, he was shocked.
“Did-did they not treat this on the way?” He asked, horrified at the state of the wound.
“No, they didn’t.” Xie Lian answered.
San Lang’s sweet maple and honey scent mixed with a hint of smoke turned sour with displeasure.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause you trouble.” Xie Lian apologised, misunderstanding entirely.
“Why are you apologising, your highness? This isn’t your fault. From our intelligence, it was Lang Ying who started the war, who escalated things even though you tried to mediate with him. You just told me he was the one who wounded you and then didn’t treat you during the journey. That fool not only treated you like an object, but showed us a great disrespect by giving us a wounded, sick, bride. Makes me wonder what he’s thinking in that empty head of his.” San Lang grumbled at the end.
Xie Lian opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it again. He didn’t know what to say.
A knock sounded at the door and San Lang answered it, grateful the servants had brought the water he had asked for.
“Set it down by the bed.” He ordered. “Go get some sleeping robes for his highness. He’ll need to stay in this room for quite a while until he’s well again. And bring something for him to eat-something light on the stomach, preferably.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
San Lang returned to tending to Xie Lian’s wounds, dipping a cloth into the warm water and ringing it out before wiping the makeup from his face.
Which was a shame, because he did look lovely. But now was not the time, and he needed to get it off so the prince wasn’t uncomfortable.
“Does that feel better?” He asked once it was off, grateful he wasn’t wearing much in the first place, and thanked whoever did it.
“It does, thank you.” Xie Lian replied, voice holding a note of relief.
“Good.” San Lang said, pleased. “I’m going to clean around the wound, though I can see that someone has already done that.”
“The handmaid who bathed me.” Xie Lian confessed. “She was worried.”
“I’m glad someone had the good sense to be.” San Lang smiled, “What was her name?”
Xie Lian’s face fell, and his scent became sour with anxiety.
“I don’t know, but I’m worried about her. She couldn’t tell me, which makes me think that she may get in trouble for helping me so much. She was the only one who showed me kindness.” Xie Lian explained.
San Lang hummed. He’d look into it later.
Xie Lian let out a gasp of surprise when San Lang pressed a damp cloth to his wound, gently dabbing at it.
“It needs to be drained.” He said softly, “you’ve been stabbed straight through, so it will take a while to heal. Several weeks at minimum.”
“I understand.” Xie Lian grimaced.
“This may hurt.” San Lang warned, then using the sterilised tools he had picked up earlier, started draining the pus from his wound.
The servants came and went with clothing and various other items San Lang asked for as he worked, but not once did Xie Lian complain, and that worried the king.
“Your highness? Are you alright? You’ve been awfully quiet this whole time.”
Xie Lian smiled. “I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt too much.”
San Lang sighed, relieved he wasn’t in too much pain.
“May I ask a question?” Xie Lian asked hesitantly.
“Go ahead.” San Lang smiled.
“Why did you learn medicine?”
“I learned so that when Hua Cheng goes into battle, I can be the one to look after his wounds.” San Lang explained.
“You don’t fight?”
“I do, but Hua Cheng prefers it when I don’t. So this was a compromise.”
Xie Lian thought it was nice that someone cared so much for his safety on the battlefield. It was always expected of him to fight on the battlefield, to lead and become king.
To bear an heir for XianLe.
He wasn’t allowed to indulge in his secondary gender, to be pampered by his future alpha. No, that would not be allowed. Especially if his father had a say.
But now his father was dead.
“Your highness…?” San Lang’s voice was tinged with worry as he watched silent tears trek down Xie Lian’s cheeks.
He grabbed a clean cloth and gently dabbed at his tears.
Xie Lian startled from his thoughts, but didn’t stop the king from what he was doing. Just offered a quiet apology.
“You don’t have to apologise to me for grieving.” San Lang said gently. “It’s okay to let it all out.”
Xie Lian sighed shakily. “I failed everyone. I failed my family. I failed my country, and I failed my people.”
“You did the best you could for your country. You are not to blame for the decisions made by your father and the effects they had on the war. War is unpredictable and cruel; don’t carry the weight of the dead on your shoulders.” San Lang said.
Xie Lian gave a small nod.
“Ohhh this infection stinks. I’m going to throw this pus soaked rag at that piece of shit…”
As Hua Cheng set aside his glass of wine, Yin Yu, his and San Lang’s personal assistant, walked in much to his visitors disapproval of lack of a knock, and walked over to him to give him a quick, quiet word.
Hua Cheng’s gaze darkened.
“Thank you, Yin Yu.” He said, then turned his attention back to Lang Ying. “I’m glad we got the signing of that deal out of the way. Now, let’s talk about your blatant disrespect towards myself and my brother by bringing us a severely injured, sickly, and blinded bride, all of your own doing?”
Lang Ying smiled. “I apologise for offending you, but he gave no indication that he was in pain.”
“Are you an idiot?” Hua Cheng laughed. “You stabbed him clean through the shoulder. Of course he was in pain. Not to mention the damage that’s been done, but now it’s developed infection and he has a high fever.”
Hua Cheng’s eyes became cold and deadly. “If he develops sepsis, I’ll come kill you in Yong’An myself. Now get out of my kingdom.”
Yin Yu escorted Lang Ying out of the palace, while Hua Cheng wondered what to do next.
If he had been able to, he would have sent aid to XianLe to help them with their fight against Yong’An, but they hadn’t been able to spare the forces due to the possible threats nearby.
With a sigh, he stood and made his way to his personal chambers, where he poured himself another glass of wine while he read over a policy proposal.
Not long later, the door opened and shut quickly. Hua Cheng looked over to see a rather upset looking San Lang leaning back against the door.
“San Lang?” He set his glass aside along with the documents he was holding and stood up. He walked over to him, wondering what had his brother so upset.
“I’m worried about his highness.” San Lang finally spoke, “His wound is severe, and he’s so unwell. He was blindfolded the entire trip here, which is why he can’t see right now, but he should regain his vision.”
“Where is Yushi Huang?” Hua Cheng asked.
“She arrived just as I finished treating him. She’ll be looking after him from now on.” He answered, though seemed disappointed.
Hua Cheng’s mouth pulled upward at the corners. “You want to be the one to take care of him? How unlike you.”
“You and I both know that we feel an unnatural attraction to him. Excuse me for indulging.”
“You think he could be our mate?” Hua Cheng raised his brow with interest.
San Lang smiled coyly. “The only way to find out is to let the bond form, no?”
“He’s seven years younger than us.” Hua Cheng added.
“And that matters why?” San Lang raised a brow.
“It doesn’t, I was just stating a fact.” Hua Cheng shrugged.
“Wait.” San Lang paused, “How old is he?”
“Nineteen, I believe he just turned.” Hua Cheng answered with a blink.
Oh.
“Hm.”
“So,” Hua Cheng smiled, “Since you’re so intent on indulging, I take it you want him as part of the harem, then?”
“Preferably as our consort, but we can work up to that, can’t we?”
Hua Cheng grinned as he tilted San Lang’s chin up. “Yes, I suppose we can. He will need…training, of sorts.”
“He’ll need care.” San Lang said softly.
Hua Cheng gently brushed his cheek with his hand. “You really are worried.”
“You weren’t there. You weren’t there when he talked about how he was a failure to his country, his parents and his people for losing the war.” San Lang whispered.
Hua Cheng sighed softly as he pulled him into his embrace. “It will be hard,” he said, “But he will heal with time.”
“I hope so.”
Xie Lian woke several hours after San Lang had finished treating his wound. He still couldn’t see well, but he could sense that there was someone else in the room with him.
But it wasn’t San Lang.
His shoulder ached, and there was something cool resting on his forehead.
“Good evening, your highness.” A soothing voice sounded from across the room. “How are you feeling? Any nausea?”
Xie Lian blinked a few times. “No, I don’t feel any nausea.” He answered honestly.
“That’s good to hear.” They replied, “and how is the pain?”
Xie Lian thought about it, furrowing his brow. “It’s… not terrible.”
“That means the medication is working for the most part. We can always give you something stronger, but we don’t want you to become dependent on it.”
“I understand. Thank you.”
She gasped. “Please forgive me, your highness. My name is Yushi Huang. I’m the royal physician.”
“Oh, my name is Xie Lian. Thank you for taking care of me.” Xie Lian replied, “San Lang is not here?”
“San Lang…? Oh! You mean his majesty, Xue Yu? He’d be asleep at this hour.” Yushi Huang explained.
“Oh…what time is it?” He asked, surprised it was so late.
“It’s well into the night. I’d say the early hours of the morning.”
“Thank you,”
“Did you need anything, your highness?” Yushi Huang asked gently. “Anything to drink, or eat?”
“No, I’m just very tired.” He answered.
“I’ll leave you to rest. Please ring that bell next to you if you need me.”
Once she was gone again, Xie Lian closed his eyes and fell back to sleep.
Xie Lian dreamt often. Usually, of the war. He dreamt of the man who ordered the deaths of his parents, and often in his dreams, his mother and father cursed him for not being able to end the war. Mu Qing and Feng Xin would often scorn him for being too soft hearted in his dreams.
Sometimes, Xie Lian wondered if that was why they lost. When he did, San Lang would kiss him on the cheek and tell him it was nonsense.
Xie Lian was learning that San Lang was a very affectionate person…at least when it came to him and Hua Cheng, whom he had yet to meet.
The infection went away completely. Xie Lian started to recover. He was able to eat normal meals again and became more active once more, especially once he’d been cleared to get up and move around. However, he was lonely during his recovery period. He did get to know Yushi Huang quite well, and he’d like to think they might even be considered friends, but sometimes he wished he had someone else to talk to as well.
When the stitches came out, and he began the stretches he had been assigned, Yushi Huang gasped as if she suddenly remembered something.
“I forgot to mention that someone will be coming by to take your measurements today.”
“Oh?” Xie Lian blinked.
“Yes. For your new attire, and your wedding robes.” She replied, “Everything will be made by the royal tailor.”
Xie Lian blinked. Wedding robes? San Lang did say that the ceremony would be held when he was well enough…
“Ah, okay.”
“Is something upsetting you?” Yushi Huang asked with concern.
“It’s nothing to get too concerned about.” Xie Lian tried to wave it off, but the doctor raised her brow at him and he sighed.
“I was just… wondering how their majesties were.”
She smiled, understanding. “They’ve been quite busy, and his majesty Xue Yu caught an illness the week before last. I think he would have been here if not for being in bed, sick.”
“Oh,” Xie Lian furrowed his brow, worried. “Is it serious?”
“No, he just needs rest.” She assured him. “His majesty Hua Cheng has been hesitant to visit you, worried you might not want any alphas around you at the moment.”
Xie Lian suddenly understood. Hua Cheng was being considerate of his feelings and situation, as he didn’t know what he had gone through. Xie Lian smiled, grateful for the consideration.
“If he asks, please let him know I don’t mind if he wants to visit.”
Yushi Huang smiled, “I’ll be sure to let him know.”
The tailor arrived, took his measurements, draped material across his body to see what suited him and then left. While used to such visits from a tailor, it had exhausted him and he found he needed rest. The next few days were spent resting and doing the exercises given to strengthen his shoulder, until he was suddenly surprised by a visit from the king, Hua Cheng, himself.
Xie Lian was sitting by the window when he arrived, and he had to remind himself not to stare.
The problem was that other than San Lang, he’d never seen someone so beautiful and attractive, so it was hard not to stare. And there was his scent—sandalwood and smoke and maple…
Oh.
Oh.
“I hope I’m not disturbing my bride?” Hua Cheng asked with a teasing lilt to his voice.
Xie Lian blushed. “Oh-no, not at all. Please have a seat, your majesty.”
“You can call me Hua Cheng,” he said as he sat down at the table by the window, “or perhaps your highness would prefer something different?”
“No, I’d be honoured.”
Hua Cheng smiled gently. “You don’t have to be so formal with us. We won’t hurt you-that’s our promise to you.”
Xie Lian returned his smile. “I know.” He replied, “This might sound strange, but I just have this feeling that tells me that you and San Lang won’t do anything to harm me.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Hua Cheng smiled.
“How is San Lang? I heard he was unwell…” Xie Lian said with concern.
“He’s doing a lot better, thank you for asking. He wanted to come and see you, but I made him stay in bed.”
Xie Lian sighed with relief. “I’m glad he’s doing okay.”
“And how are you doing?” Hua Cheng asked.
Xie Lian brightened, “a lot better! My arm has a lot more range for movement now, and the wound has completely closed up! I’m just working on strengthening my shoulder again.”
Hua Cheng chuckled, “I’m pleased to hear it.”
“Though… I’m not sure I’ll be able to wield a sword again.” Xie Lian added quietly.
Hua Cheng froze. He was well aware of Xie Lian’s love of swords, so hearing that…
It worried him.
Xie Lian, however, smiled. “I’m sure I’ll find something else to occupy my time with.”
“I sincerely hope you will get to wield a sword again,” Hua Cheng said softly, “mostly so we can spar. I hear you’re of exceptional talent.”
Xie Lian beamed. “I would very much like that too.”
“And I’m sure you’ll have many things to keep you occupied here. Especially as part of the harem.”
Xie Lian blinked as he let the words sink in, staring back at Hua Cheng’s single obsidian eye, the other hidden by an eyepatch that he still couldn’t see.
“Oh-that’s right, haha, silly me completely forgot.” Xie Lian laughed awkwardly, face completely red.
Of course he was part of the harem! That’s what the freaking wedding robes were for!
Though from memory…he didn’t think there were usually wedding ceremonies for concubines…? Though now that he thought about it, he remembered Ai Hua being famous for their differences with traditions around weddings.
“That’s understandable. You’ve been recovering from a traumatic injury.” Hua Cheng replied gently.
“Y-you should know that I’m not at all experienced, and I’ve never… been with anyone before.” He managed to get out, face tomato red.
Hua Cheng smiled, “You’re a virgin?”
Xie Lian spluttered for a moment before giving a timid nod.
“You don’t have to worry, Xie Lian. We don’t expect anything straight away—we’ll ease you into it nice and slow.” Hua Cheng explained, “you’ll accompany us at times outside the bedroom as well. Sometimes you’ll come with us on trips, too.”
“O-okay.” Xie Lian stammered, still blushing hard.
Somehow, he found he didn’t mind all that much-and he was even a little excited at the prospect of getting to explore his secondary gender a little bit.
Perhaps this could be fun.