chapter 116

Chapter 116: The Calm Before the Storm

There was a hint of nervousness in Shen He's voice when he asked that question.

The comforting hand on his neck paused.

Nestled in Qi Zhuoyun's embrace, Shen He hugged him back, murmuring, "Brother."

Of course, Qi Zhuoyun intended to share, for he still had questions and needed certain confirmations.

All to determine his next course of action.

Although he had a rough guess in his mind and was ninety percent sure.

Qi Zhuoyun gazed downward, taking in the sight of the young man nestled against him.

The tips of his ears remained a bright, unreceding red. His snow-white cheeks and forehead bore a subtle damp sheen in the winter chill, with hints of flushed pink.

Qi Zhuoyun gently caressed his cheek with his fingertips, brushing across the moist, heated skin, "Hehe."

Shen He immediately responded, eagerly lifting his head, awaiting Qi Zhuoyun's words.

He was more than willing to listen to Qi Zhuoyun share his grievances, sorrows, and troubles. If he could come up with a solution or offer help, nothing would please him more.

Even if he lacked the means to solve the issue, merely offering solace, sharing the burden, and lending an ear for Qi Zhuoyun to confide in was enough.

The brightness in the young man's eyes was unmistakable.

The next moment, he heard Qi Zhuoyun softly ask, "Hehe, you aren't from this world, are you?"

Shen He's expectant gaze quivered, fixated on Qi Zhuoyun, forgetting to blink for a moment.

Qi Zhuoyun continued, "Will there come a day when Hehe might suddenly leave me, leave this place?"

Not like the last incident where he tagged along with Qi Yanbing.

But rather, departing silently to a place where he could never be found.

Shen He felt parched.

It seemed as though all moisture had been drained from him in that instant, rendering him mute.

His lips trembled slightly, yet for the longest time, he couldn't muster a sound.

Does he... know?

Shen He locked eyes with Qi Zhuoyun.

In those deep, dark pupils, Shen He's face was clearly reflected, as if nestled within two profound springs, teeming with myriad deep-seated emotions.

When Shen He first arrived in this world, myriad thoughts had crossed his mind.

He had contemplated what would happen if someone discovered he was a traveler from another realm, an outsider to this world.

He had imagined countless scenarios where people feared him, deemed him an anomaly, and wanted to chase him away.

On a lighter note, he had even contemplated if someone might think of him as a god incarnate and venerate him.

He had pondered countless scenarios.

During moments of boredom, he had mentally rehearsed myriad strategies for coping.

Yet, the look before him now was something he hadn't anticipated.

It wasn't fear, nor the surprise of seeing a foreign entity. Instead, it was an intense mix of panic and heartache.

Such an expression, emerging from the eyes of a man usually composed and tender, adept at strategizing.

It lay bare before him.

It made Shen He realize that even the mightiest could feel fear and experience deep sorrow.

And he was the root cause.

Intense dread, intertwined with love, poured forth unrestrained, threatening to drown him.

Would he leave?

"I don't know," thought Shen He.

He was thrown into this, knowing nothing and feeling afraid.

It was like that night when, cheerful, he played with his phone and bid his parents goodnight, asking them to let him enjoy his own space for a couple of days.

Yet, when he opened his eyes next, he found himself in a foreign world. An abrupt transition, without warning, and he had no choice but to accept it.

Shen He wasn't sure if he had made a sound.

His lips moved, repeatedly muttering softly, "Brother, big brother... big brother..."

Gradually, Shen He found his voice.

He felt the muscles near his mouth stretch, perhaps forcing a smile that might look strained.

He heard his voice, slightly hoarse yet with an incongruously relieved tone, saying with an upward lilt, "Since you already know, big brother, I won't hide it anymore. Indeed, I'm not from here. Are you afraid?"

He asked, "Brother, are you afraid of me?"

There was no fear in Qi Zhuoyun's heart. Shen He knew this — it was evident from the way he looked into Qi Zhuoyun's eyes.

As expected, Qi Zhuoyun replied, "No, as long as you're Hehe, no matter where you come from, you're still Hehe."

Shen He said, "I'm relieved to hear that. I've always been afraid of being discovered and getting burned to death. You know, in ghost stories, when a spirit is found, the villagers often fear it and burn it alive..."

Qi Zhuoyun lowered his gaze and looked deeply into Shen He's eyes. He asked, "Hehe, did you come from centuries in the future? Do the history books there write about our fate?"

Shen He was taken aback.

He found it hard to meet Qi Zhuoyun's gaze.

Lowering his head and snuggling into Qi Zhuoyun's embrace, he whispered, "Yes, more or less."

"Our destiny is a great one. Brother, you're celebrated as a wise ruler in the history books. But my studies there were average and I wasn't that diligent in reading, so I'm not sure about others' fates. After all, emperors who make significant decisions are usually the main focus, right?" He said, mixing truth with fiction.

He waited for Qi Zhuoyun to continue probing, already formulating new stories in his mind.

But Qi Zhuoyun did not press on with the questions Shen He anticipated, sensing the evasion in the embrace.

Holding the young man by the nape of his neck, after a prolonged silence, he asked, "What were you afraid of yesterday, Hehe?"

Rubbing his face against Qi Zhuoyun's neck, Shen He nonchalantly replied, "I had a guess about what the crown prince was up to, so I was worried about Qi Yanbing. Brother, will the prince's matters implicate Qi Yanbing?"

Qi Zhuoyun assured, "No, there's no need to worry."

That night, they still slept together.

Qi Zhuoyun made no intimate moves, his kisses confined to Shen He's forehead.

Shen He seemed to regress to his younger days, a time when he needed guardianship.

Cradled in the warm, safe embrace, cherished with gentle kisses, they chatted until Shen He slowly drifted off to sleep.

Once asleep, his fingers subconsciously tightened their grip on Qi Zhuoyun's clothing.

It was much tighter than any previous occasions.

Qi Zhuoyun gently showered the young boy's nose with a series of soft kisses.

What was their fate like?

Is it truly unwritten in the annals of history?

Perhaps the books Shen He read didn't mention it, but he must surely know. Unfortunately, it's likely not a pleasant ending.

Shen He wasn’t fretting over Qi Yanbing; Qi Yanbing had never been involved in Qi Chengfeng's plans, and even out of respect for Shen He, there wouldn't be any harm done to him.

Shen He was concerned about himself.

Qi Zhuoyun hesitated to confront Shen He with the question.

But he needed to find a way to know.

Are all destinies predetermined in this world? Can there be no discrepancy from what's written in historical records?

Qi Zhuoyun wasn't convinced.

If their fate decreed that one of them should die, Qi Zhuoyun was determined to ensure that they both continue living harmoniously.

……

The end of the year was approaching.

The New Year was celebrated smoothly and joyfully.

No hitches occurred.

It was like the calm before a storm.

Shen He visited the inner palace, where Empress Dowager Liu Xuan, after the previous emperor's demise, had become the Imperial Grand Empress, continuing to oversee the palace affairs.

But with the old emperor gone and a new one enthroned, the former concubines no longer vied for favor; they all retired to a more leisurely life.

When Shen He went to visit his maternal aunt, Empress Dowager Liu Xuan was admiring some newly delivered garments.

On hearing the announcement of his arrival, she joyously came over, instructing servants to fetch soup and, while pinching Shen He's cheeks, exclaimed, "Oh my! Let me have a good look at you. How have you become so thin?"

Shen He leaned in, allowing his cheek to be pinched, and laughingly responded, "Aunt, how old am I now? Having such a chubby face like a child's at my age, that's quite unseemly, isn't it?"

Empress Liu Xuan was not pleased, "What’s unseemly about that? Aging is inevitable, but it doesn’t mean you’re old. Besides, you've not yet come of age, so you’re still considered a child."

She added with a gleeful smile, “Look here, our little He is not only not of age but also unmarried, so you’re still a child in my eyes. Have you taken a liking to any maiden? If not, I’ll start looking for you next year…”

Shen He’s cheeks turned rosy from the pinch. He gently took hold of her hands and whispered, “Aunt, I truly don’t wish to marry. Why don’t you believe me? My younger cousin hasn’t married yet either. It should be his turn first. You should focus on finding a match for him.”

Upholding the principle of 'dragging a friend down if I’m going down,' Shen He shamelessly threw his younger cousin, Liu Zheng, under the bus.

If Liu Zheng were to be betrothed, there’s still the seventh cousin in line!

At times like this, being the youngest in the family had its perks.

Shen He also remembered that his own brother, Shen Yan, hadn’t married. In any case, he could delay. Once all his elder brothers were settled down, then, in a moment of urgency, he’d discuss with Qi Zhuoyun and decide if they should reveal their relationship to the family.

Empress Liu Xuan didn’t think much of it, completely unaware that her beloved nephew was already 'taken' by the most powerful man in the capital. She was still intent on playing matchmaker.

Seeing Shen He’s adamant refusal, she decided to drop the matter for now, thinking to herself, 'He might be growing up, but his heart is still that of a child, afraid of getting married.'

She chuckled, giving Shen He's cheeks another affectionate pinch. They felt leaner than before, but still pleasantly soft.

Looking at the young man who had grown up so quickly, she sighed, “Time flies. You’re so grown up now. Your mother, if she knew, would surely be happy. I avenged her death, and now I can truly be at peace. All that’s left is to see you settled…”

Empress Liu Xuan paused, realizing she might have spoken too much.

Shen He kept his head down, pretending he hadn’t heard.

His biological mother, Lady Liu, was indirectly killed by the emperor.

The Shen family knew, the Liu family knew, and the emperor was well aware, creating a delicate situation.

Both the Liu and Shen families chose not to pursue the matter, and in return, the emperor granted them special favor.

In the emperor’s eyes, sacrificing a daughter and a daughter-in-law to earn the loyalty of two prominent families was a beneficial trade, one no one could refuse.

So, when the emperor met his end, he probably didn’t expect the Shen family and Aunt Liu to have played their parts, did he?

Shen He spent a long time with Empress Liu Xuan.

They laughed and joked together, and he even went to the kitchenette to make some pastries he learned from the head chef in the Eastern Palace.

His efforts left Empress Liu Xuan laughing uncontrollably.

Reluctantly, she escorted the young man to the palace gates.

Holding onto his clothing, Shen He kept turning back and waving as he walked away, "Goodbye, Aunt! Please head back inside. I'll visit you in a few days, and I'll bring some treats!"

Empress Liu Xuan replied, "Be on your way and be careful not to trip!"

Gradually, he disappeared into the distance.

On New Year's Eve, a grand feast was held within the palace. This time, Qi Zhuoyun could not stay by Shen He's side.

For now, Qi Zhuoyun was the emperor, and it wasn't fitting for Shen He to audaciously take the empress’s seat.

If he dared, today's feast would be canceled in favor of watching old ministers dramatically knock themselves against pillars in protest.

Qi Yanbing did not attend the banquet either, as he was still under house arrest and couldn’t leave his prince's mansion.

Shen He's younger cousin, Liu, now holding an official position, sat farther away, adhering to the formalities and not exchanging playful glances with him.

An unsettling atmosphere flowed through the capital; everyone sensed that significant changes were on the horizon.

Shen He was bored.

Incredibly bored.

To alleviate his boredom, he began scouting for something to eat.

He sampled the fruits on the table, trying a little of each.

Then he nibbled on some pastries.

In the depth of winter, pastries cooled quickly. While the fruits remained appetizing, the pastries lost their appeal.

Some of the pastries were deep-fried with a crispy crust. Once cold, they became hard and greasy. After one regrettable bite, Shen He hastily peeled an orange to counteract the greasiness.

Occasional glances from the high table fell upon him.

Every now and then, Shen He would look up, sneaking a smile at Qi Zhuoyun.

Soon after, a palace maid discreetly approached Shen He.

Holding plates of steaming soft pastries, they appeared fluffy and sweet.

Shen He's eyes sparkled, reminiscent of a mischievous mouse. He chuckled as he sneaked a bite of the pastry, lowering his head and occasionally taking a sip of the sweet juice on the table.

It must be bayberry juice, chilled in the icebox for so long – its preservation till now is quite an achievement.

Each table only had a small jug, indicating its cherished nature.

Shen He did not waste a drop and gulped it all down.

It was sweet, but with a hint of astringency and a slight bite.

However, Shen He was fully confident in the food and drinks. With so many people around, they wouldn’t serve spoiled juice.

No need to fear! Just drink up!

After a while, Shen He's consciousness became somewhat blurred.

He realized that at some point, he had been carried back to the Eastern Palace.

His boyfriend was holding him, undressing him.

Shen He erupted in anger, "What are you doing undressing me?!"

Taking advantage of him while he was asleep, huh?

Then, quite cunningly, his boyfriend leaned down to kiss him.

After the kiss, with those tender eyes that always made Shen He's heart race uncontrollably, he stared at him.

Inside, Shen He screamed: Deceptive! So deceptive!

With one hand covering his mouth and eyes wide, Shen He stared at Qi Zhuoyun, his other hand guarding his waistband.

He had no idea how endearing he looked through the eyes of the man opposite him.

Qi Zhuoyun couldn't help but laugh, gently kissing the back of the hand that Shen He used to cover his mouth.

Then, as if scalded, Shen He quickly withdrew his hand, hiding it behind his back.

His already rosy cheeks became even redder, and a layer of captivating moisture filled his eyes, shimmering in the candlelight.

Qi Zhuoyun gently pecked the lips the young man so openly revealed and cooed, "He He, big brother is going to give you a bath. Stop fussing and be good."

Shen He flustered, unsure if he should cover his mouth or not, muttered under his breath, "Can I trust you? You're definitely up to something. You probably want to do something to me."

Shen He felt as if half his soul had taken flight, his whole being felt light-headed. The external half of him exclaimed, "Oh my god! Shen He, are you out of your mind? What nonsense are you talking about? Have some dignity! You must be drunk. Why can't you just shut up?"

The inner half retorted: "Life is short, just a few decades. Speak your mind! I was just telling the truth. Qi Zhuoyun is a sneaky schemer; he used to play the straight guy and tease me. Now, he's obviously up to no good!"

He couldn’t hold back. Whatever came to his mind, he just said it.

The embarrassment and wanting to hide will be for the sober Shen He later.

The current Shen He just wanted to let loose.

Qi Zhuoyun moved even closer, their cheeks almost touching. The young man's breath carried the fragrant scent of plum wine, tempting him to savor it.

He whispered, "Oh? So, He He, tell me, what does big brother have in mind for you?"

Shen He snorted, "You know."

"Know what?" Qi Zhuoyun persisted in his inquiry.

His breath grew heavier, burning hot, matching Shen He's heated breath post-drinking.

Their fiery breaths caressed each other's skin.

The young man, eyes wide, blinked slowly, once, then again, and with a shy little laugh, leaned in to kiss Qi Zhuoyun's lips, "Big brother, I really like you."

The intoxicated young man, with a slightly raspy voice and a sweet breath, uttered those words.

Qi Zhuoyun abandoned the idea of giving Shen He a bath.

His patience was brought to the brink by that light-hearted confession.

He grasped the young man's chin, seizing a breath-stealing kiss.