The months following were... hectic...to say the least.
Reuniting with everyone after the battle was...eventful.
While Yue Qingyuan had scooped him up into his arms and sobbed for a good few minutes, Shen Qingqiu—through tears—cussed Luo Binghe out for keeping Shen Yuan away from them for so long and never explaining his plans. Luo Binghe raised his hands in defeat, accepting the tongue-lashing from both older brothers as he continuously apologized, no matter how forced and reluctant it was to do so.
However, it was not only Shen Qingqiu and Yue Qingyuan who tore him a new one through tears of relief mixed with a bit of grief. Su Xiyan had yanked him down by his ear and damn near ripped the appendage off as she scolded him thoroughly, the young man had attempted to appease his mother's wrath, but Su Xiyan was urged on by motherly worry for both of her sons, so she hadn't stopped until all of her grievances were aired out thoroughly and Tianlang-Jun went after him not a moment after, to which Luo Binghe took with much less grace and dignity; shouting back at that father of his until their yelling match turned into another brawl.
Shen Yuan watched with a mild expression in the comfort of his brothers' arms,' and Su Xiyan and Zhuzhi-Lang both watched with either impassive or exasperated expressions. Thankfully, Zhuzhi-Lang—as always—served as the mediator and broke them up before both past and present Demon Lords lost too much face in front of the Qing Jing Peak Lord and Cang Qiong Sect Leader.
Upon the matter of Luo Binghe's and Shen Yuan's engagement...Shen Qingqiu denied it quickly, and after Shen Yuan tried to reason with him, he denied it some more. Yue Qingyuan, on the other hand, looked at the situation carefully. At the moment, Luo Binghe was not favorable by any means, at least not in the Human Realm.
So, the Sect Leader created a truce, once Luo Binghe could guarantee he apologized to the sect leaders and everyone else affected by the events of the past month—forgiveness was not required...even that was asking too much—and that any damages were repaid, and that Luo Binghe could at the very least gain the approval of two other Peak Lords, then he would have Yue Qingyuan's blessing. Until then, Luo Binghe and Shen Yuan were to remain at a respectable distance from each other, following the rules instated by society for a newly engaged couple, and likewise were never to be left alone with each other for longer than a few minutes.
Which meant abstaining from physical contact of almost any kind, aside from respectful touches of the hand either out of greeting or necessity. Never be left alone in the same room—which Shen Yuan found ridiculous, thank you very much—. And of course, they could not sleep in the same bed or the same room until they were properly married.
At this point, he was almost sure that his brothers were truly trying to assess just how far Luo Binghe's patience could reach!
Shen Qingqiu muttered that the terms were too light, but Shen Yuan had to bite his tongue so as not to outwardly disagree, light his ass! Those terms were a little extreme if you asked him, but he knew there was no bargaining with his Qi-ge on this, so he would take the lightest sentence that they could get. He silenced his brother with a hug and a desperately hopeful expression. Ah emotional manipulation, how he had missed using it against his brother! The older Shen of course knew what Shen Yuan was doing, but as always, was powerless against it, and reluctantly agreed to the terms.
Luo Binghe was even more reluctant to agree, especially when Su Xiyan spoke up over the terms and agreed that his side of the family would likewise keep them just as enforced so as to keep things fair and rightfully diplomatic. Who were these people to say when and where Shen Yuan and Luo Binghe could co-exist!? When he could touch his Yuan-ge and when he was allowed to be alone in the same room as him!? And not sleeping in the same bed and room!? They had an entire house together! He was fine with playing by the rules and abstaining to a certain degree until the wedding, but this was ridiculous!
However, when Su Xiyan gave him a knowing look that said, "Even if you don't like it, it's the only way to go about things now," he reluctantly agreed.
Of course, out of diplomacy, Yue Qingyuan offered Su Xiyan and Tianlang-Jun to make any terms for Shen Yuan in response, though Su Xiyan had laughed at the offer, trying her best to explain as respectfully as possible that any test Shen Yuan would have needed to pass if he was quite literally anyone else who was trying to marry their son, he had passed long ago. That was not to say Tianlang-Jun didn't take the opportunity for what it was and made the—rather ridiculous—condition that Shen Yuan would have to visit their home in the royal estate in the Demon Realm at least once every two weeks.
Luo Binghe glared at his father for the terms and conditions, and Su Xiyan rolled her eyes at her husband. However, Tianlang-Jun was entirely proud of himself and ignored both his wife and his son. Shen Yuan readily agreed to them, despite his brothers having questions afterward.
He was as expected, to return to Cang Qiong Mountain, both to manage the diplomatic matters that his disappearance had caused and because practically every disciple of the sect had been losing their minds since the beloved Shifu of Qing Jing had gone missing. Luo Binghe of course went with him, ignoring Shen Qingqiu's glaring the entire time, and he especially was subjected to the harsh reactions of the disciples.
Bai Zhan Peak in particular.
When Shen Yuan returned from the Peak Lord meeting, he was both surprised and worried to return to the Bamboo House only to find Ming Fan glaring daggers at Luo Binghe all the while Ning Yingying interrogated him thoroughly, claiming that, "she had to make sure Luo-shidi would treat Shifu well," and because Luo Binghe had apparently been jumped by half of Bai Zhan Peak!
Half ready to storm over there and scold the lot of them, and half ready to just say to hell with the terms and conditions and just back to their home, Shen Yuan almost stormed out of the Bamboo House when Luo Binghe called out for him and stopped him, claiming that the ritual was entirely normal.
Apparently, elder disciples of Bai Zhan Peak were always welcomed back home by being jumped by the younger, less experienced disciples, both to prove themselves to their Shixiong and to see if their Shixiong was still worthy of his place in whatever hierarchy that Bai Zhan was structure by.
Shen Yuan...didn't think he would ever understand Bai Zhan Peak, or if he even genuinely wanted to.
Such occurrences continued well past the point of a few months. Even when damages were settled, Huan Hua Palace was rebuilt and Luo Binghe was formally introduced as its leader, and he had made an entirely diplomatic speech of apology to the other great sects, which everyone knew to be entirely falsified and not even with an ounce of genuineness, but Luo Binghe had again and again shown his prowess, and when the news of the Demon Lord's and the second Peak Lord of Qing Jing's engagement and potential wedding was revealed—unintentionally—just about everyone in the cultivation world was praying on its success.
Forgive us Peak Lord Shen Qingxin! We have to rely on you to keep that demon within controllable bounds!
No one was sure just who started the rumor that spread like wildfire, but Shen Yuan knew one thing for sure, he was sick to death of it! Everywhere he went, even during Peak Lord business outside of the sect, resulted in someone asking him about details, the dates, the themes, everything, and anything as if they were entitled to know!
It was entirely too much for him to manage, and there had been many times when he just stared at the person blankly until they left. However, Shen Yuan wasn't the only one who found this annoying, his brothers especially were not favorable of such questions—especially since Luo Binghe had yet to receive either of their blessings—and even Luo Binghe himself grew annoyed by the questions. It was like rubbing salt into a wound! Not only did he have his A-Yuan who loved him back, the man who also wanted to marry him, and his most beloved person right in his grasp, but he couldn't even hold him no matter how close they were! They couldn't even live in the house that he built for the both of them together because of the ridiculous terms and conditions he had no other choice but to agree to! And heavens forbid he dare try to at least hold his A-Yuan's hand in public or sit within a three-foot distance of the Peak Lord in the presence of either of Shen Yuan's brothers and even his parents!
Heavens be his witness, he wanted to do things right, he didn't want to create an inner family war because of his impatience, but he was only a man. Denying him even the right to at least rest his head on his Yuan-ge's lap was an inhumane form of punishment that not even he would wish upon his worst enemies. Shen Yuan always smiled at him encouragingly or apologetically when either his brothers or even Luo Binghe's parents corrected them on propriety and manners for a courting couple, no matter whether their relationship in public was established as engaged in public.
It was like they couldn't get away from them! Not in Cang Qiong and not even in Luo Binghe's own fucking palace!
Forget blue balls, he was going to die from frustration over the lack of proximity in general!
Shang Qinghua especially found this quite amusing, always coming over to Qing Jing Peak to visit Shen Yuan and teasing his friend about Luo Binghe's attitude and even his throughout the entire ordeal. While Shen Yuan was doing a bit better off than Luo Binghe, he too was feeling the effects.
Sue him! He had gotten used to eating Luo Binghe's food again and always having that sticky disciple of his at his side, crooning in his ear or keeping him warm as fall turned to winter once again. "Xiao-shixiong, I'm just surprised is all, I didn't expect this arrangement to affect you so much as it does him." Shang Qinghua teased for the umpteenth time, and Shen Yuan truly considered beating his closest friend. He would do it!
"Silence your traitorous mouth." Shen Yuan mumbled, reviewing the scrolls of his lesson plans that he was writing out to the xiansheng he was leaving in charge of his joint lessons from there on out. He wouldn't be on Qing Jing Peak as much as he used to, but that didn't mean the collaborative lessons had to fall to ruins without him there to oversee them!
Shang Qinghua laughed at him again, poking at his friend's shoulder teasingly. "What? Is Cucumber bro jealous because My King and I don't have to put up with any of those ridiculous terms and conditions?"
"I will throw you out the window, Airplane, do not tempt me." Shen Yuan threatened as Shang Qinghua chuckled sheepishly. "Besides, your and Mobei-Jun's relationship is without even a shred of propriety, I prefer how Binghe and I oversee things."
Shang Qinghua snorted at the backhanded comment, pulling open his robes only slightly to reveal the collar of sapphires and rubies on his neck, along with the tattoos that had been inked into his skin, each one representing a different demon sigil and meaning. "If you mean less stuck up and far more natural, then sure, though I prefer how My King chooses to go about things. I'm just surprised that Luo Binghe hasn't lost his marbles yet over your brothers being so controlling about this."
Shen Yuan could hum in agreement at that, he too was a little surprised by Luo Binghe's resolve. While he knew that Luo Binghe could quite literally do anything he set his mind to—he was the protagonist after all!—Shen Yuan also knew from personal experience that while he was rather impassive towards others, Luo Binghe was rather sticky with him in particular. He always made sure to encourage and praise the Demon Lord whenever they were given even a second alone together. Still, he noticed the way Luo Binghe's grin was strained every time someone entered their shared space and the way his hand twitched into a fist whenever either his brothers or Su Xiyan and Tianlang-Jun came over to retrieve them and either reminded them of propriety or just flat out urge them away from each other.
Su Xiyan was the kindest about it, always encouraging and praising both of them for their resilience and for taking the mature route and going about things slowly so as to appease the masses and the diplomatic matters their union brought along with them. Even at times giving them the privacy to at least speak to each other before pretending that she had just walked in on them and enforced the rules of the agreement.
Tianlang-Jun...caused for fights than what it was worth. Half the time he didn't even need to urge them apart to uphold the rules of the agreement, but just spout off from the mouth and he and Luo Binghe would be right back at it, facing off against each other as they both shouted and growled at each other.
Absentmindedly, Shen Yuan wondered if it were honestly true that all demon fathers—especially Alphas—always acted this way with their heirs, or if this were just the only way Tianlang-Jun and Luo Binghe could co-exist.
His brothers... were less understanding about how they separated them. While Yue Qingyuan could at least greet Luo Binghe respectfully and with a diplomatic smile as he gently led Shen Yuan away, Shen Qingqiu outwardly sneered at the Demon Lord without so much as even a greeting to him and would only come over to snatch Shen Yuan away.
"Binghe has been doing well, I have confidence in him." Shen Yuan stated, eyeing his friend skeptically when he heard the man laugh. "Something you need to say?"
"Ah ignore me, ignore me, I was just thinking that it's going to be interesting to see how Luo Binghe earns two Peak Lord's favor for the marriage." Shang Qinghua chuckled, munching on some melon seeds while Shen Yuan glared at him from the corner of his eye.
"You're already one of them!" Shen Yuan huffed.
"True, true, I am! If anyone is good enough for my son, it is you Xiao-shixiong." The comment and the reference to Luo Binghe as his "son" earned him a swift punch to the shoulder, leaving him whining. "Such a cruel Xiao-shixiong...all I'm saying is, who else could you convince? Liu Qingge?"
Shen Yuan groaned at the example, Luo Binghe and Liu Qingge were still...not on the best of terms. "Don't even joke like that."
"Hey, all I'm saying is that it's true! Who else would you try to convince?" Shang Qinghua questioned, while he was left unable to think of someone. Just about all of their sect siblings favored Luo Binghe just as much as Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu did, despite him being their Xiao-shixiong's fated pair, they had their reservations.
Shen Yuan hummed softly under his breath, it was a good question, and it was a requirement for Luo Binghe to actually gain the true approval of at least two other Peak Lords. Shang Qinghua was an obvious first since he was already fraternizing with the King of the northern desert. But Shen Yuan couldn't think of anyone else who might even hear them out before outright denying Luo Binghe.
Liu Qingge and Mu Qingfang were out of the question for more than a few reasons. Liu Qingge and Luo Binghe still couldn't be in a room without glaring at each other, and Shen Yuan was half certain that if it weren't for the people around them, and for the sake of the conditions that Luo Binghe had agreed to, the two would have started brawling months ago. Mu Qingfang...Shen Yuan knew that the doctor was a naturally kind and gracious soul, but he also knew that if he knew anything—or anyone—had hurt or was hurting anyone of his sect, then it would take a miracle to change his discontented opinion about them.
His other sect siblings had shown their own personal discontentment when Yue Qingyuan helped him announce his somewhat-engagement to Luo Binghe and the terms and conditions that were currently working through. Many took Shen Qingqiu's side and claimed that Shen Qingxin was being too gracious with Luo Binghe and too careless with himself by trying to tie himself down to the Demon Lord after everything he had done.
It had taken well over a few hours to at least convince them to wait and see how Luo Binghe did under Yue Qingyuan's conditions and if he could live up to expectations. They all grumbled some agreement, though the only one who had stayed silent throughout the entire thing had been...
"Ci Qinglong!" Shen Yuan cheered, startling Shang Qinghua who had been looking over the lesson plans that Shen Yuan wrote out for An Ding, nearly dropping his bag of melon seeds when the younger Peak Lord stood abruptly.
"What?!" Shang Qinghua screeched, watching as his friend grabbed a few scrolls and tucked them into his qiankun pouch in his sleeve. "Xiao-shixiong, are you trying to say you're going to Ci-shimei for her blessing!? You do realize that she especially dislikes Luo Binghe! Do you not remember her always cursing his name when you first went blind!?"
Shen Yuan of course remembered, during the time his Ci-shimei took the care to help him learn how to navigate the world blind, she had all but cursed the name 'Luo Binghe' at least twenty times a day, hissing and growling into her hand so Shen Yuan couldn't hear her clearly. Of course, he understood her anger back then, but Ci Qinglong was also a fair and justified leader, she believed in second chances and adaptation.
"She is my best shot; I'll discuss it with Binghe once he gets here." Shen Yuan stated as he went over to his wardrobe and switched the pale green and white outer robes for sleek black robes that were embroidered with golden sigils that Shen Yuan knew Luo Binghe designed himself along with pale green trimmings and accents.
His inner robes were still white, making for a jarring contrast as he tied the ensemble together with a white belt and a black jade guan that fastened into his hair with a gold hairpin designed at the end with a dragon. "Wait, when he gets here? I thought he wasn't allowed–." Just as he was asking his question, a sharp tear shrieked through the air, and a portal was opened to reveal Luo Binghe and Su Xiyan. Both dressed similarly to Shen Yuan; however, Su Xiyan's was lofty in style, displaying her position as a close relative of the Demon Lord, and Luo Binghe's inner robes were red and black, embroidered in the same style the Qing Jing Peak Lords were, but his outer robe was a pure white, once again leaving a sharp contrast.
Shang Qinghua was left with his mouth open before shaking his head and waving his hand. "Ah, what am I surprised by anymore?" Huffing, he ate a few more melon seeds as he stood to greet Su Xiyan and the emperor, though only Su Xiyan paid him any mind.
Immediately, and only because it was his mother who was here to keep an eye on them, Luo Binghe took full opportunity to appreciate Shen Yuan's appearance before wrapping his arms around his fiancé tightly. "Yuan-ge looks lovely." A chaste kiss was pressed to the Peak Lord's temple, and Shen Yuan chuckled when he patted the Demon Lord's head.
"Binghe looks every bit of an emperor," he looked past his sticky disciple and smiled at Su Xiyan who watched with a sympathetic but encouraging expression, nodding at the two of them. "Xiyan, how are you?'
"I've been well, Yuan-er. Though I suggest you come by soon, it has only been a week and Tianlang is already complaining that both of his sons have forgotten him and no longer favor him." Rolling her eyes fondly, Su Xiyan told them of her husband's dramatics, and while Shen Yuan laughed at the statement, Luo Binghe rolled his eyes.
"He will see Yuan-ge in court today, tell that old man not to be so greedy." he huffed, and Su Xiyan only laughed at her son's expression. She knew just about better than anyone else—since she was playing her part as a mother and personal therapist whenever Luo Binghe just about lost his composure some days at being unable to see Shen Yuan at all—that this son of hers was growing weary and tired of these terms and conditions that he agreed to. So, there was no room for sympathy regarding anyone else when it came to seeing Shen Yuan.
"Bold words my son, you go without seeing Yuan-er for a day or so and you are ready to execute all of your advisers." Su Xiyan teased, recalling the incident that happened only a few days upon when Luo Binghe's patience had been exceptionally thin that day.
"Binghe!" Shen Yuan shouted aghast, looking up at the Demon Lord who only wore a nonchalant expression.
"They spoke rashly, they met their match." Luo Binghe reasoned, and Su Xiyan and Shen Yuan both groaned at his logic...so much like his father.
Looking over at the An Ding Peak Lord, Su Xiyan asked, "Peak Lord Shang, are you not in an engagement with Mobei-Jun yourself? Will you not be in attendance at court today?"
Shang Qinghua made a muffled sound as he waved his hand dismissively. "My King doesn't need me for everything, I'm sure this is likely one of those meetings that he prefers I just take notes from him later on, if not I would have already been running around the northern palace to get ready!"
Just as he waved off the question another shrill tore through the air, and another portal was opened behind the An Ding Peak Lord: who paled slightly upon hearing the familiar sound. "Speak of the devil and he will appear." Shen Yuan murmured, raising a brow as he watched Mobei-Jun step through the portal and look down at the mousy man.
"Qinghua."
"Ah, My King! Did you need–? Ack!" Unable to finish his sentence, Mobei-Jun came and left within a blink of an eye. Coming only to retrieve Shang Qinghua, and once he had him, left just as swiftly.
Shen Yuan could appreciate the professionalism at the very least.
However, Su Xiyan looked over at him a little worriedly. "Yuan-er...are you sure that friend of yours and that Mobei-Jun...ah, are they in a... consensual relationship?"
Shen Yuan sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose; he had asked the same question once and lived to this day to regret it. "Believe me Xiyan... it's entirely consensual and I loathe to say that Shang Qinghua...ugh, personally enjoys it."
"It's entirely normal." Luo Binghe added nonchalantly despite his mother's surprised and disbelieving expression. Though not one to question either of them when they agreed on something like this, she merely shook her head softly and nodded for them to make their leave as well.
Today was the first day of Shen Yuan actually entering the royal court. While it was normally only after one married into the royal family, Luo Binghe had grown rather impatient, and if he didn't sate the urge to show off his fiancé in some way, he was going to Qi deviate from his frustrations.
Besides, Su Xiyan and Tianlang-Jun would both be there, and Shen Yuan would have his own seat that was just far enough away from Luo Binghe's to stay within line of their agreement, and it would give Luo Binghe the opportunity to flaunt his claim on his future empress to his heart's content. Regardless, it was also a perfect opportunity for him to make sure that the style of robes he had commissioned for Shen Yuan fit him correctly and were worthy of his station.
Just as he had assumed, they fit the Peak Lord perfectly and only heightened the immortal's impervious beautiful nature. The silky black against pale skin was a jarring contrast, but it only enhanced each color of the accents and golden embroidery that he had meticulously thought out and commissioned. His Yuan-ge had told him that he was in no need of haughty or ridiculously eccentric robes to display "power," he didn't care what others presumed or thought of him, he was there only for Luo Binghe; not that the Demon Lord needed support wrangling his court, but to offer moral and emotional support during strenuous times.
The flustered statement had made Luo Binghe's heart soar when Shen Yuan admitted it to him when Luo Binghe first offered the initial reasoning of introducing him early to his court and displaying his position of power early on so that way no one would dare question his one and only empress when they actually married. Of course, he listened to his Yuan-ge and withheld his initial plans of even more expensive and haughty robes, but he spared no time or expense pouring as much care and critiquing into the designs for as far as he was able.
He was more than sure the imperial seamstress was positively sick of him.
But his careful planning and designing had not been for not, and just as he had presumed, his beloved Shizun looked positively lovely in black. However, he was more than positive that he would look even better in red silk, specifically wedding silk. But for now, those images were ones he withheld to himself, lest his taut composure snap a little too early.
When the three stepped through the portal, Tianlang-Jun was already there waiting for them in front of the grand hall doors; dressed similarly to Su Xiyan if not a bit more extravagantly. The elder grinned knowingly at Luo Binghe: who scowled at his father's expression before shooing him off to enter before them, the doors opened with a soundless command, and Zhuzhi-Lang already stood at the ready to escort Tianlang-Jun and Su Xiyan to their seats.
Luo Binghe and Shen Yuan entered together, at a respectable distance of course, which at first made a few of the consults and advisors murmur quietly; not be unsuspected, but Luo Binghe still sneered at the sounds of their muttering. Shen Yuan eyed him knowingly, suppressing a grin as he shook his head. Luo Binghe huffed softly, but otherwise obeyed the soundless order, instead taking the lead up the few steps of the altar where his and Shen Yuan's seats (read: thrones) were placed at the head of the table.
Shen Yuan mentally rolled his eyes at the extravagant centerpieces; the wide seats and cushions were designed with rolling clouds and curling dragons around the base, upon the back, black jade morphed into blooming peonies. To put it simply, such fanciful designs—which he knew were not Luo Binghe's normal tastes, thank you very much—were all for show! While he knew that Luo Binghe cared quite a bit for appearances to certain degrees, he knew all too well that the designs of his robes, his jewelry, and the seats were entirely intentional in the sense of showing power and staking his claim.
He would never admit aloud that he didn't quite mind as much as he let on.
However, those hushed gossipers quickly silenced themselves the second they watched as the Imperial Majesty himself stopped at the top of the stairs, and waited for Shen Yuan before disregarding the talks his mother had with him only an hour before the meeting, took Shen Yuan's hand to lead him to his seat first before kissing his temple entirely too sweetly for a man that a majority in the room learned to fear and respect through incredibly...violent means, to put it simply.
Who was this man and what had he done to their emperor!? How could he act so kindly to someone!?
Even when their emperor had introduced his own blood relatives as members of the highest degree in the imperial court, he hadn't been so kind! Tianlang-Jun had even started a fight with His Majesty within the first hour!
Shen Yuan leveled Luo Binghe's outward display with a glare that bore no real heat behind it other than mild embarrassment, but the Demon Lord could only grin at the expression. His Yuan-ge looked incredibly cute with a pout on his face. He took his seat only a moment later and nodded for the meeting to begin.
It was slow at first, only a few in the room knew Shen Yuan personally, and those who did not only knew him through the rumors of Qilin. The cultivator who was named after the great beast of legend that could see into the hearts of anyone in his sights and snuff out those who meant harm. He was said to be a haughty and impervious immortal, one that not even the greatest of warriors could stand against without kneeling from his prowess in fear of their life.
But the man that sat at their emperor's side...he was entirely too demure to be such a haughty immortal!
Of course, there was no denying that he was an immortal, his beauty alone assured him his status as such. But this future empress of theirs looked like the kind of cultivator that sat upon hillsides and played soft and angelic songs all day long and walked along moonlit paths while reciting poetry to the spirits, his figure was not of some impervious warrior who could best even the greatest of warriors and level armies with a single glance, but of that of a willow branch that swayed and danced with the elegance and grace of the wind.
How could this be the Qilin of legend, when he looked as easy to break as a simple willow branch!?
Regardless of their shared opinions and thoughts, none of the advisors or guests voiced their opinions, lest they earn the ire of their cruel emperor. It was no secret that Luo Binghe was a strict ruler, who did not leave room for error or mutiny, but as of the past months, this emperor of theirs had become even crueler! It was as though he was constantly being pricked with needles and slapped across the face! His ire was easily earned, and his temper was even shorter than before! It was only as of the past week that his temper seemed to calm only slightly and instead focus on bothering the poor royal seamstress endlessly until the woman had grown so sick of his presence that she had even the nerve to kick him out.
She was a brave woman, and many in the imperial court respected her all the more for it, every single one of them saying a silent prayer in thanks to her for taking away the emperor's attention for some time. It had only been when they saw the main focus of their emperor's heart and soul enter with him that they understood just why he had been bothering the poor woman so much.
The consultants and advisors all droned on about less-than-pressing issues, all mundane matters that Shen Yuan personally found himself growing annoyed with. This is what Luo Binghe had to deal with constantly? Ignorant fools who couldn't even manage simple trade and crop disputes themselves? He completely understood that in the Demon Realm, resources were not as easily procured, and farmland was scarce due to most of the lands being nearly inhabitable. Likewise, he also understood that many who sat in the imperial court now had more likely than not also sat in the same seats when Tianlang-Jun was in power.
In over twenty years, these old fools hadn't learned how to professionally manage trade disputes and crop distribution? How incompetent.
Aside from the incompetence that made his brow twitch irritably, Shen Yuan likewise didn't enjoy the slimy gaze of a few of the consults and guests who sat in their seats farther to the back. He didn't recognize them and figured that they were likely village leaders, city governors, or something of that sort and had weaseled their way into this meeting to give their piece.
But there was just something about them that irked him, and he couldn't help but readjust himself to sit like a bamboo stalk every time he felt their gaze pass over from him to Luo Binghe.
Without even thinking, his vision blurred before it whited out completely. He was surprised at first to see himself once again in the grand hall, only this time moved slowly as if it were a movie. It was both a surprise and a mild comfort that his visions still seemed to be in practice, he hadn't searched for a single one since Luo Binghe had resurrected him and had honestly believed that now they were post-canon, he had lost the ability entirely.
Then, time moved swiftly, and he watched through the eyes of a spirit as the men sat in the very back of the meeting hall morphed with the background around them, revealing them in different clothes and a small room most likely only days before.
Their voices were hushed, but the grins on their faces were sinister but likewise foolish. "It is said that the dragon's heart poison can kill anything, even a heavenly demon, a single drop will make the emperor drop dead and his father right along with him." It was like a plotline from a terrible movie!
Shen Yuan watched in muted annoyance and astonishment as these low-level villains stuck five iron needles into this dragon's heart poison vial, before slipping the vial into their robes once again and tucking the poison-laced needles in a small capsule that hung from one of their necks.
He remembered reading about this poison, it was another one of Airplane's terrible plot devices to put Luo Binghe in terrible danger, only for wife #216 to come sprinting to his rescue before the needles could hit him, and falling daintily into Luo Binghe's arms, proclaiming her undying love for him, only to realize that through whatever ridiculous power of papapa, she was cured! To no one's surprise, Luo Binghe also somehow grew an immunity to the poison that was supposed to be able to kill anything!
It was so stupid that Shen Yuan had literally thrown his phone across the room when he had read that chapter!
Within his vision, Shen Yuan couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculous plan. These low-level villains never thought a damn thing out! Even if they were able to hit Luo Binghe with the needles, what did they think would happen afterward? That the rest of his allies and family would just sit idly by and let them get away with it? Did they even have a real reason to do all of this aside from being cannon fodder?
Rolling his eyes internally, Shen Yuan suddenly came back to reality, blinking a few times to clear his vision. Only to see Luo Binghe looking at him through thick lashes out of the corner of his eye, completely disregarding the dignitary who was speaking at the moment.
An idea came to Shen Yuan, they had done it before, and since this was clearly a low-level threat that Luo Binghe would be able to oversee even without his help, Shen Yuan wanted to see if it would work. If it didn't, then he would just come out and tattle tale on those idiots, but if this plan of his did work, then it would actually be super cool!
Extending his hand, Shen Yuan closed his eyes slowly before opening them. Luo Binghe raised a brow at the gesture; but otherwise took his hand as his gaze focused solely on Shen Yuan's eyes, and suddenly, it was as if he had been hit with a sleeping powder before being thrust awake only a few seconds later.
He couldn't help but flinch when he reawakened, it was such a strange feeling to be forcefully put to sleep like that, only to be awakened the second it was all over. After regaining his composure, and realizing that the dignitary speaking had stopped, and more than a few pairs of eyes were on them, he looked over at Luo Binghe; hoping that he would know what to say in this kind of situation.
Instead of saying anything, however, Luo Binghe seemed a little surprised himself before taking on a rather cruelly knowing expression. The Demon Lord grinned as he stood, fangs on display as he crossed his hands behind his back and stared directly at the men in the far back, boring into their barely contained composure like an arrow through the heart of a lamb.
"It seems...we have a few traitors in our midst..." Luo Binghe hummed thoughtfully, a few gasps and startled sounds ringing out through the hall. However, Su Xiyan and Tianlang-Jun knowingly stared at Shen Yuan, not having missed the way their Yuan-er had taken Luo Binghe's hand unexpectedly before he seemed to fall asleep abruptly before awakening only a few seconds later.
Shang Qinghua immediately knew what was happening, having recognized the men in the back from one of the fan services scenes he wrote into PIDW, though he hadn't been sure how it was going to go, when he saw his friend's vision go hazing in that familiar way he had seen so many times before, only to take the Demon Lord's hand a second later, he couldn't help but grin in excitement to see how things would play out now.
Mobei-Jun raised an incredulous brow at the excited look on his mate's face, but he otherwise kept a cool and impassive expression, it would not be the first time—or the last—that his Qinghua looked particularly excited over someone facing their dues upon their idiotic decisions being revealed. His mate was lovably cruel in that sense, and he adorned it silently.
The advisors and consulters all held their breath worriedly as they watched Luo Binghe descend the stairs slowly, Shen Yuan rose from his seat instinctively, even after Luo Binghe looked back over his shoulder; his expression changing significantly into a fond and loving smile that was meant to reassure the Peak Lord before turning back to his court.
"This venerable one will give them the chance now to reveal themselves and beg for mercy at their empress's feet, seeing as they bothered him personally." Luo Binghe grinned a little wider when he watched those familiar faces pale from the back of the room. There had been an uncountable number of times an assassination attempt had been tried against him; he couldn't truly expect to remember them all. But when his Yuan-ge had reached out for his hand, only to share his visions with him, he remembered the rather foolish plan.
But that wasn't what made all of this a little exciting for him.
While their poison would have likely rendered him bedridden for a few days, he knew that his blood would grow impervious to it by the end of it all, but most importantly, his Yuan-ge willingly shared his visions with him! They had only done it once before with his beloved's nightmares...and he lived to despise what he saw, but now, his Yuan-ge was able to initiate the link to share what he saw!
It made a boyish part of his heart soar and the worn down and beaten part of his heart mend and ignite with such a gentle and fond warmth from such a willing and blatant show of trust given to him in such an intimate and rather...public way.
However, despite how this made his heart positively sing, and his very soul ache to encompass his beloved in his arms, it was also something that disrupted his Yuan-ge's day. It forced him to have to see those imbecilic dogs dare try and enact such a foolish plan, and then worry him enough to show Luo Binghe as soon as he was able!
No, no that wouldn't do.
His empress was to be treated with only the highest caliber of respect.
When the fools did not move forward to prostrate themselves before their empress, Luo Binghe sneered at the gall, and snapped his fingers, in less than a moment, Xin Mo; that had been attached to his waist, had opened a portal behind the demons garish enough to try and enact such a foolhardy plan, and promptly sucked them through the portal, dropping them at Luo Binghe's feet.
The demons stared up at their emperor with identical expressions of terror.
"How rude, not only did you bother my beloved, but you don't even have the manners to apologize." Clicking his tongue, Luo Binghe summoned the guards at the door to bind them, tying them to each other as they were forced to kneel before the entire procession. He turned away from them to look up at Shen Yuan with a smile far too kind in light of the cruel expression he bore only a moment before.
"Qingxin, what would be the proper punishment for such terrible manners?" His hand was extended out to him, and Shen Yuan felt a little intimidated by such a blatant show of power...one that wasn't even meant to show Luo Binghe's...but his.
Regardless, he descended the stairs gracefully, taking Luo Binghe's hand, and raising his sleeve to his face to cover his expression. He was never one to dish out punishments, not even to his disciples. The only thing he was known for was making his disciples run laps if they failed, he wasn't particularly sure how one was supposed to weigh such a thing, especially not in a setting like this!
Instead, he looked over at Su Xiyan for help, and the woman responded in kind by standing from her seat, smiling graciously in a familiarly terrifying way...there was no doubt about it now, while Luo Binghe's personality and few expressions matched Tianlang-Jun to a fault, he was clearly his mother's son. "Xiyan, these men planned to kill Binghe and Tianlang-Jun with the dragon's heart poison, does she have any requests as to how they will be overseen?"
"How boorish," she said, scoffing as she looked between her husband and son. "Seeing as they planned to kill my husband; previous Emperor Tianlang-Jun and my son; Emperor Luo Binghe, they should be managed in accordance with the laws against mutiny and traitors. Not to mention their lack of manners. Son of mine, how unfortunate your court is riddled with incompetent fools."
Luo Binghe audibly laughed at the quip against his court and the traitors at his feet: who now quivered with fear upon hearing the woman's request. Tianlang-Jun, however, scoffed fondly at the statement. "Those laws? Son of mine, did you know that these old fools changed the laws in my absence and before you ascended the throne? The punishment against mutiny and traitors used to be far more severe, now it's dwindled to a mere flogging before being hanged. How pitiful, truly!"
Luo Binghe raised a brow at the declaration, humming appreciatively as he eyed his court. "It seems I have been left unaware of a few things." It wasn't that he hadn't known, he had just forgotten. In his past life, he found those laws just as ridiculous as Tianlang-Jun did and changed them to be far more severe. Though to hear that they had been changed purposefully was not entirely shocking, if not a little annoying.
Shen Yuan finally spoke up after a long bout of silence, lowering his sleeve from his face, having conducted his composure, and held himself with the posture of a lofty immortal. "Likewise, Tianlang; it seems that you and Binghe both have been left to suffer with incompetent advisors and an untrustworthy council."
The sounds that erupted from the court varied between aghast and outright offended, a few even daring to yell, "You dare?!" At him before quickly silencing themselves when Luo Binghe leveled them with a glare.
"Qingxin, please continue." Luo Binghe urged, smiling fondly while Shen Yuan had to suppress a smile of his own, though his serious expression didn't meet his eyes, and only egged Luo Binghe on to lean in a little closer.
"This Master has noticed that the primary issue within this court has been over trade agreements and crop distribution. While these are important matters in the everyday life of citizens, they should never have gotten so severe as to reach this court." Shen Yuan started, eyeing a few of the older-looking advisors personally, seriously, how had no one called them out on this yet?
Luo Binghe agreed with a soft nod, following Shen Yuan's gaze as he mentally reminded himself to personally deal with each person his Shizun eyed so critically. "Does Qingxin have a solution that this Lord could impose?"
Shen Yuan nodded and pulled a scroll from his robes. He had brought these on the off chance that he would get Luo Binghe alone for a moment long enough to share his idea, he hadn't wanted to cause a fuss during the meeting, but it seemed to end up that way regardless. On the scrolls, a few hand-drawn plants were labeled and written about extensively on each side, consisting of their habitat, how they could help, and how to grow them, all of which could serve the purpose of boosting trade systems and crop growth and distribution.
"This Master has been doing some research for the past few months. There are a few plants that Binghe could fuse with many of the crops grown in the Demon Realm and even a few in the Human Realm, which would allow those crops to grow bountifully without much trouble for farmers." Shen Yuan handed one end of the scroll over to Luo Binghe and let the man scan over the hand-drawn document for some time before continuing. "It would eliminate the need for extensive trade routes and likely pave the way for separate tribes and clans to branch out closer to the imperial city, expanding the empire through peaceful negotiations rather than conquering."
Shang Qinghua appeared behind him, and Shen Yuan nodded for his friend to look over the scroll as well, the author humming periodically as he read over what the younger Peak Lord had written down. "A few of these plants could even be grown in the Northern Desert, My King," turning to the ice demon with a thoughtful expression, Mobei-Jun stepped forward and stood at Luo Binghe's side to look over the document with his compatriot. "It would make trade agreements and peace treaties far easier to come by and could likely improve relations between the Human Realm and the Demon Realm."
Mobei-Jun only made a faint sound of understanding in response, eyeing his emperor: who only grinned as he gently took the rest of the scroll from Shen Yuan and handed it over to Su Xiyan. "This one trusts that Xiyan and Tianlang-Jun will be able to help this one enact Qingxin's plan?"
Su Xiyan took the scroll and nodded, Tianlang-Jun chuckling as he was the last to stand, placing a hand on his wife's shoulder. "Of course, however, seeing as we will also need to review a few laws, how does this son of mine wish to oversee the punishment of these dogs' crimes?"
Luo Binghe looked over at Shen Yuan, though the Peak Lord only hummed numbly as he eyed the demons knelt before them. He felt little pity for them, it truthfully wasn't their fault they had such a low IQ, it was just how they were created. But they had indeed tried to kill Luo Binghe and Tianlang-Jun, and despite knowing that neither heavenly demon would die from such an attempt, the very idea made his skin crawl and his stomach twist into knots.
"The dragon's heart poison is not a fast-acting agent. It slowly seeps into the bloodstream of the victim to corrode their veins and arteries slowly before reaching the heart where it is said to feel as if a dragon's fire is igniting in one's heart. Painful enough that many who have been inflicted before having sought out death by their own hand before the poison could kill themselves..." Shen Yuan announced tactfully; he was a well-read scholar, and the Peak Lord of the famous Qing Jing Peak; the home of scholars, musicians, and gentlemen of the four arts.
It was of little surprise that he would be so well-versed, even in rare poisons like this. But it was not his terrifying knowledge that made those who were not close to him in the room freeze, but the frost that seemed to glaze over in those gemstone eyes. It was a feature that many in the room noticed immediately either due to fascination or because of the rumors behind those eyes.
The eyes of heaven are what many called them.
Eyes that could see both the past and the future, eyes that could bore into the hearts of any who dared to look into them, and eyes that could pierce even the strongest of warriors through to the very essence of their soul with only a glare.
They had doubted this Qilin before, but now, everyone who had doubted him before understood why Shen Qingxin; Qing Jing Peak Lord, and future Empress of the Demon Realm had been named after such a great beast.
Their reverence only heightened when that terrifyingly elegant man spoke again. "Have them face the poison themselves. An eye for an eye." Shen Yuan commanded coldly. While he was never one to dish out punishments, normally leaving such things up to someone else, he couldn't help the ire that welled up in his heart at the idea of these impudent dogs daring to try and harm Luo Binghe or anyone he called his family. "If they were so confident in their agent before, let them face it themselves so they can truly grasp the weight of their sins. If they survive it somehow, then they may go free with this experience in mind, it is slow enough as well to allow them the time before they meet their fate to repent for their sins, perhaps even gain a little mercy from the heavens."
How...How merciful!? Cruel!? Terrifying!?
There were too many words to describe such a death! Not only was this the only thing that Shen Qingxin was requesting, but it was even with the offer to let them go free if they lived!? Unheard of! Entirely unheard of! How could such a sentence be both merciful and cruel in such a strange way?!
Luo Binghe, however, only laughed at the expressions of his advisors and consultants. "How merciful, Shizun." He drawled, eyeing the fear-frozen traitors in front of them. "Even if they survive, you don't wish anything else of it? What of their corpses when they die?" He wasn't even playing with the idea that they might survive!
Shen Yuan only hummed at the question. "Binghe may do whatever he likes with their corpses, if this is not the first time something like this has happened, then perhaps an example is to be made. Leave them outside at the altar of sin and agony for those to see. Wait for the beasts to come for them and let nature decide how their bones should be spread about." There was no doubt about it now, the emperor might have chosen his empress upon realizing that he was his fated pair, but it was clear the fates themselves had paired them for a reason!
Su Xiyan's brows raised in surprise at Shen Yuan's request, her Yuan-er had never been a cruel or vengeful person, so to hear him request such a fate for these traitors was surprising, but not disheartening. How proud she was of her Yuan-er! Standing up for himself and this son of hers! Not letting people walk over him and speaking up against their mistreatment! Looking over at Zhuzhi-Lang: who stood behind Tianlang-Jun, and at Tianlang-Jun himself, Su Xiyan was not the only one to bear such a proud expression, both heavenly demons wore proud smiles, and Tianlang-Jun even wiped a dramatic tear from his eye.
Shang Qinghua hummed thoughtfully at the request, taking down a mental note, he'd have to write that one down! "If Xiao-shixiong also likes, we could hang the corpses off of the ground, that way the beasts would come later on, and it would make for a gory sight when they did arrive to retrieve their meals."
Shen Yuan mulled over the idea before nodding. "It's not a bad idea."
Everyone else in the room felt fear strike their hearts. Not only was this empress of theirs terrifyingly fearsome when he wanted to be, but he also had the King of the Northern Desert's consort egging him on and giving him ideas!?
Luo Binghe chuckled at the exchange, waving his hand to call the guards over once again. "Have it done, if they survive let them leave with their experience, if not, hang them on the altar of sin and agony for all to see and let the beasts be the only ones to retrieve them."
A few shouts of mercy came from the traitors, but everyone else in the room ignored them, it was a little late to be pleading for mercy. Not to mention his Yuan-ge had been merciful enough! He personally wished something a little more...extravagant for their executions, primarily to make an example out of them for wasting his Yuan-ge time and energy and behaving so rudely in front of him, but he couldn't help the almost giddy feeling in his chest that had sparked alive when he watched the frost of his Yuan-ge's gaze freeze over those impudent dogs' tongues.
"There has been enough discussed for today, we will be overseeing the review of the laws, along with any necessary...changes, in seats of power in this court. Until then, as you were." With nothing else, Luo Binghe dismissed the meeting and offered his arm to Shen Yuan: who took it graciously, the two leaving arm in arm.
As per usual, the two waited at the end of the hall for Su Xiyan and Tianlang-Jun, though Luo Binghe stole the opportunity to wrap his arms around Shen Yuan tightly, sighed contently when the Peak Lord reached up to pat his head and combed his fingers through thick raven locks.
"This disciple missed, Yuan-ge..." Luo Binghe whined with his most effective puppy dog eyes, even going as far as to make a hurt sound when Shen Yuan pulled away enough to flick his forehead before kissing his cheek.
"This Master missed Binghe as well, but he is proud of him for his perseverance and patience." Binghe practically glowed at the praise and shamelessly rubbed his cheek against Shen Yuan's shoulder to garner more. Shen Yuan rolled his eyes fondly but otherwise continued to dote on him. "However, this Master believes I know who will also agree to give their blessing, completely Qi-ge's terms and conditions once we go to see them."
At this, Luo Binghe sprung up, filled with vigor and excitement as he reached for Xin Mo. "Who are they Shizun? This disciple will see them myself this minute."
Shen Yuan laughed at the excitement, placing his hand over the top of Luo Binghe's to pause him. "We should tell Tianlang-Jun and Xiyan first," he ignored the displeased growl Luo Binghe gave in response. "It's best that we go together to see her, Ci Qinglong; the Peak Lord of Ling Shou, she can be rather headstrong and stubborn, but I'm sure that upon meeting you personally, she would be inclined to give her blessing."
Luo Binghe hummed softly at that, taking Shen Yuan by the hand as they walked back to the head of the hallway where Su Xiyan and Tianlang-Jun had only just entered. "Ah look at you two, breaking rules so often! Do we need to start putting talismans on you two that will tattle every time you break the rules?" Tianlang-Jun teased, grinning evilly when he caught the cold glare of his son.
"Husband, be gracious." Su Xiyan scolded, slapping Tianlang-Jun's arm to reprimand him.
"Actually, Xiyan," Shen Yuan started. "This one believes a friend of mine will be willing to give her blessing, and I will be taking Binghe to see her."
"Oh! That's wonderful, Yuan-er. You two should go ahead then and go quickly!" Su Xiyan encouraged excitedly, she more so than anyone just as sick and tired of this arrangement.
Forgive her and give her grace, she loved her son, and she loved Yuan-er. But if she had to talk down that son of hers from a frustration-induced rage spiral one more time in the next month, she was going to say to hell with it all and take those two to the temple and hold the ceremony for them.
Personally, she thought the entire arrangement was a little extreme to begin with. Absolutely no touching or any kind of affection shared between them until they could properly meet the terms and conditions was a little too far in her opinion. She understood the thought process behind it—making sure that Luo Binghe would not be some depraved beast and could control himself without losing interest—but it had been well over six months by now, and things were getting too close to that dangerous edge.
"Ah, should we go with you then?" Tianlang-Jun asked, not having missed his wife's excitement, and forewent teasing either of his sons any further.
"There's no need," Shen Yuan stated. "By the agreement, Ci Qinglong being there alone will satisfy it. And once we gain her blessing and let my brothers know, then it'll finally be over." He sighed in relief; he was sick of this arrangement.
Too much stress, too much planning! He just wanted to meet the terms and conditions, let the wedding go as it should, and go home—their home—and sleep! Finally, get the chance to poke around the gardens to his heart's content and take a damn break!
"Very well, we shall see you there then." Tianlang-Jun chuckled, earning an accusing look from Luo Binghe as the Demon Lord reached for Xin Mo and cut open a portal, the two walking through to Ling Shou Peak.
"I didn't trust that look of his." Luo Binghe huffed, glaring even when the portal closed.
"Ah, he likes to tease." Shen Yuan waved it off, leading the way through the heavy foliage of the entrance of the Peak.
Ling Shou lived up to its reputation, not only did the disciples of this peak regularly cultivate with dangerous beasts, learning about their nature, and even learning how to take on their features to better enhance their cultivation, but the entire peak was like a wild forest.
Shen Yuan learned how to navigate the peak without the means of a guide as most would need, but it still felt strange to see, since when he learned to navigate it, he had been blind.