Part 2
But compared to the warmth of the quilt, Ying Xi preferred the body temperature of a person. The solid contact from being close just now had prompted him to actively search for it.
Ying Xi leaned over, embracing Xie Qianli.
Before he could react, Xie Qianli was held in a full embrace.
His blank thoughts blanked again.
In that instant, he lost the ability to think.
That scent of imperial incense that haunted his dreams wrapped around him, making Xie Qianli almost forget to breathe. His entire body went from sweltering to his blood boiling. His senses were concentrated on Ying Xi’s pointed, cool nose touching him.
He slowly pulled his sanity back together.
Only two words remained in his mind, operating with difficulty: “Xiao Xi.”
His moon.
That night while walking through the beautiful scenes of Chang’an, Xie Qianli hadn’t broken the rules in his heart. Perhaps to others it appeared as a beautiful story, but it wasn’t that his self-control was strong; the other person wasn’t his love.
But he had loved Ying Xi for a full ten years. The bright moon hung high and unreachable, yet now it was in his arms.
Where could he have any leftover logic?
Fire burned in Xie Qianli’s eyes.
But Ying Xi made that fire completely consume the plains.
He pressed against him to absorb the warmth, his hand moving from his waist to his chest. His fingers gripped the clothes on Xie Qianli’s chest.
The candelabra was by the bed. The candlelight was cast from behind Xie Qianli to his front. Following the familiar scent, Ying Xi opened his eyes in a semi-daze, lifting his gaze within Xie Qianli’s embrace.
“Light…”
Xie Qianli didn’t know what he was saying.
Xie Qianli took a long, deep breath.
No matter the situation, as monarch and subject, they shouldn’t be like this.
Otherwise, when Ying Xi woke up, it wouldn’t be just dislike; there would be a reaction that would make him suffer.
Xie Qianli’s throat bobbed. Just as he wanted to push Ying Xi away, the light wavered before Ying Xi’s vision, and Ying Xi uncomfortably pulled him tight.
“Light…”
“Don’t go.”
“Sun… Sun…”
He didn’t know what scenes Ying Xi was seeing in his extreme weakness.
Nor did he know that in Ying Xi’s eyes, the images currently rushing by were: looking up at the radiant sky at the Fragrant Orchid Hall, the thousands of torches in Guangling City driving away the shadows, the last person reflected in his vision when he fell into desperation with the brilliant lightning behind him, and now this candlelight.
He had to chase that light.
Ying Xi grabbed Xie Qianli tightly!
A weak person was like a drowning person gripping the last piece of driftwood. No one could imagine how much strength Ying Xi had at this moment.
Xie Qianli couldn’t push him away, nor could he bear to use force.
While being gripped by his clothes and pressed against his body by Ying Xi, he tremblingly gripped the other’s wrist with his own burning, calloused palm.
Xie Qianli’s voice was completely hoarse: “Your Majesty. Do You know what You are doing?”
Ying Xi didn’t answer.
Ying Xi felt the light and warmth he longed for, and slowly, he lifted his dark gray eyes toward Xie Qianli.
Those eyes were clear, but the person was confused from the fever. His eyes blinked open and shut, Peerlessly beautiful and incredibly innocent.
He wasn’t conscious.
Xie Qianli gritted his teeth and closed his eyes tight.
But he heard Ying Xi’s voice, which made his heart nearly stop: “Foal…”
He recognized the childhood name Ying Xi was calling him. All the memories belonging to the two of them came rushing out in an instant!
This was the existence he had protected, loved, and asked to marry when they were young, and whom he now secretly loved and was loyal to. It was the Emperor, and it was also Xiao Xi.
“Foal.”
“Good Foal…”
The cluster of extravagant hope in his heart was once again hooked.
His calling caused Xie Qianli’s years of masking to be shattered. The frost-like outer shell exploded in an instant, and surging emotions swallowed him.
He gripped Ying Xi’s hand tightly, lifting Ying Xi’s wrist into the air between them.
With a voice that was no longer a voice, he made Ying Xi look at him, to see him clearly.
Xie Qianli confirmed: “Who am I?”
“Foal,” Ying Xi answered hoarsely, with a faint smile, like a whisper.
“Who is Foal?”
Xie Qianli was driven nearly mad by that smile. He was excited and terrified, his breathy voice as low as could be.
He followed up: “Do You still want to be like this even knowing it’s me?”
The airflow made Ying Xi’s ear itch. Ying Xi seemed to seriously consider for a moment. Being pinched hurt, so he tilted his head slightly before slowly giving a response to the person before him.
“Foal… is My subject.”
The light in Xie Qianli’s eyes gradually dimmed. The palm gripping Ying Xi’s wrist gradually loosened.
The status of a subject and the gender of a man were his eternal shackles. So even though Ying Xi was close to him, it wasn’t what he truly sought. He wasn’t content with just being his subject, yet he could only stop at being a subordinate.
The strand of hair tied around his wrist squeezed him until it hurt, as if it wanted to wring Xie Qianli to death!
He could only lower his head and kiss that long hair, his pain receiving a negligible bit of comfort. Xie Qianli forced himself to pull out a smile, knowing that from now on he could only retreat to the distance of monarch and subject and look up, never daring to touch Ying Xi again.
But Ying Xi was bewildered.
The warmth and light had moved away from him, and Ying Xi was not very happy.
That strand of hair was getting in his way.
Following his wrist, Ying Xi grabbed Xie Qianli’s palm and placed it against his cheek.
Rough palm met soft skin, and the two of them froze.
Ying Xi said softly, “But I once thought… I didn’t just see Foal as a subject.”
“Foal is very good. Good to Me, and I will always be good to Foal.”
The strength of his sickness was completely exhausted.
Ying Xi closed his eyes, breaking the strand of hair Xie Qianli had tied.
Logic completely collapsed, and love burst forth!
Xie Qianli had heard the validation from his beloved’s mouth. Ten years of yearning and multiple taboos were met with a positive answer from the other party in this moment when he was caught off guard.
Xie Qianli suddenly embraced Ying Xi tightly!
He lowered his head and captured Ying Xi’s thin lips, his arms locking Ying Xi tight, trapping him completely in his embrace, followed by a reckless, charging kiss!
They both fulfilled each other’s longings.
Xie Qianli desperately moved closer to his moon.
Ying Xi strove to absorb the sun-like light and heat.
The two burning bodies were inseparable. Ying Xi was like a white swan lifting its long neck, able only to let out broken cries as he was kissed.
His sickly, weary face revealed a vivid flush on his cheeks. Ying Xi couldn’t withstand the strength coming from Xie Qianli; his eyes gradually scattered, and his body slumped weakly.
Xie Qianli lovingly cupped Ying Xi’s cheeks.
His devout kiss moved upward from the lips, engraving itself onto his beloved’s forehead.
If you have me in your heart and we are in love, then what do those worldly ethics matter?
Even if you aren’t ready, then what’s wrong with me taking a step forward first?
Translator’s Note
Oh my god, finally!!! This chapter was such a rollercoaster! We went from a terrifying assassination attempt and a cold System warning to that absolutely heart-melting (and heart-stopping) scene in the tent.
Key things to note in these chapters:
- The King of Wu (吴王 – Wú Wáng): There were several “Kings of Wu” in Chinese history, most notably during the Spring and Autumn period. Ancient tombs were often massive and filled with treasures, which is why the fake discovery was such a perfect “trap” for the poor commoners—and the Emperor.
- Foal / Ju’er (驹儿): As mentioned before, this is Xie Qianli’s “milk name” or childhood name. In ancient China, parents gave children “ugly” or animal names to ward off bad luck. “Foal” implies he was a lively, strong little boy. For Ying Xi to call him this in his feverish state is incredibly intimate.
- Desecrating the Deity: The title of Chapter 99 refers to Xie’s feeling that he is “sinning” by touching the Emperor’s skin, even though he’s just trying to save his life. The Emperor is often seen as a semi-divine figure (the Son of Heaven).
- The Strand of Hair: This has been a recurring symbol of Xie’s hidden devotion. Ying Xi breaking it in his sleep while pulling Xie closer is a huge symbolic moment—the “shackles” are off, and they’re finally crossing that line.
I’m literally blushing while translating this. What do you think will happen when Ying Xi wakes up? Will he remember the kiss? See you in the next chapter! 🌸🔥✨ (aheheheheh~)
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