Liang Chen stared into the eyes of Ji Mingyuan, his breath hitched, and his heart pounded faster than a raging volcano. Ji Mingyuan's gaze seemed to burn into his soul; his fingers brushed against Liang Chen's skin, sending chills down his spine.
"Mi… Mingyuan," Liang Chen stammered, and the green-eyed demon only raised an eyebrow, too focused on whatever he was doing.
Liang Chen tried to push him away, but Ji Mingyuan's grip around his slender waist was too tight. His eyes darted everywhere but toward the prince, but Ji Mingyuan didn't mind; he could not take it to heart. His own heart fluttered just seeing the man before him. Teasing Liang Chen was a job he lived for.
Hence, he leaned in closer, their lips barely inches apart. One wrong move and they would graze together.
"What… do you feel hot?" Ji Mingyuan whispered.
Liang Chen's breath rose, his heart pounded as sweat sprang from his forehead and rolled down his back.
"You're shivering," Ji Mingyuan commented, making Liang Chen curse inwardly in frustration.
"Get off me." Liang Chen tried pushing, but he was no match; he never was.
"Say it nicely, and I might consider," Ji Mingyuan added.
"Nicely…" Liang Chen's lips curled. "In your dreams," he hissed, turning his face the other way.
Tired of making him uncomfortable, Ji Mingyuan rose of his own accord and strolled to the other side, his back facing Liang Chen.
"Get dressed. We leave for the Queen's quarters in ten minutes."
"What!!!" Liang Chen rose and stumbled behind the man, who ran out as soon as the words left his mouth.
By the door, Shuming stood with a grin, his eyes red and cheeks pinkish.
"And what are you blushing about?" Liang Chen hissed, annoyed. "How can he just dump that on me?" he muttered, but there was nothing he could do except get ready to meet his mother-in-law.
Ten minutes went by, and Prince Liang Chen emerged from the dressing room in a beige shirt and black pants. He looked nothing short of stunning, his grey hair held up neatly.
Within the room, a tired-looking Ji Mingyuan was already waiting. He was still in his court attire, a black robe with golden embroideries. The man seemed too busy ever since their arrival.
"Ready," Liang Chen announced, and Ji Mingyuan turned away from the window. Upon seeing the man before him, Ji Mingyuan halted. His eyes gazed at Liang Chen from head to toe; he stepped closer, his hand reaching for his hair.
At first, Liang Chen dodged, but the prince held him steady.
"Be good," he murmured and untied the ribbon. Liang Chen's hair fell gracefully behind his back, making him look even more stunning.
"If you don't want to, your hair down in a ponytail is good," Ji Mingyuan whispered and placed a soft kiss on his forehead.
Liang Chen froze, his body refused to react, and his eyes just stared at the man before him with complexity.
"You…" he murmured, but no further words came out.
"Let's go. We shouldn't keep others waiting," Ji Mingyuan said, holding his hand and pulling him forward.
Prince Liang Chen found himself following like an obedient puppy. His legs wouldn't obey the commands of his brain and kept moving.
The Consort Quarter was huge and magnificent, but it was nothing compared to that of the Queen Mother's. From looks alone, one could tell she had good taste and an eye for exquisite décor and artifacts.
Her quarters opened with a little path that led to the main building. At the entrance, two guards stood and bowed to them. The giant oak door creaked open, and Liang Chen's breath caught.
The marble floor was of the finest style; one could see one's reflection in it. The room was huge, and even before entering, a thick minty scent suffused the air.
"Come." Ji Mingyuan let go of his hand and wrapped his hand around him, holding him around the waist. Liang Chen did not object. His brain was still taking in everything to react to the sensuous touch of his husband.
They stepped closer, and unlike what he had expected, the old woman lying on the bed, struggling to breathe, sat at the dining table, a little too energetic.
By her side was Prince Ji Fengye, and on her left sat the same maiden who had held Ji Mingyuan and claimed him as hers upon their arrival.
Liang Chen drew in a long breath and smiled.
"Come over," the Queen gestured, and they marched forward.
"Sit… we should have lunch," she ordered, and despite the lateness of the day, Ji Mingyuan obeyed.
A servant pulled out a seat for the prince, and two seats down, another was pulled out for Liang Chen. The two froze.
"No… he sits closer to me," Ji Mingyuan half-yelled, taking Liang Chen's hand and pulling him closer. He made him sit on his seat and pulled out another for himself.
Now Liang Chen sat closer to Yue Fei. The little devil smirked like he had just won a war.
The table was quiet, with only the sounds of spoons clicking against pots as the servants dished out meals, first to the Empress, then to Ji Fengye, and finally to Ji Mingyuan.
Liang Chen's face darkened immediately at the obscene protocol. After the Queen, Ji Mingyuan, the Crown Prince of the land, should come. But there sat his elder brother, gloating in the praises and advantages of his position.
Liang Chen turned to Ji Mingyuan, but the man looked neutral as always.
It was no surprise that the servant served Yue Fei before Liang Chen, but then Ji Mingyuan slammed his hand against the table. He could take any form of bullying, but not when directed at Liang Chen.
"Are you blind?" he roared at the servants.
All three fell to their knees, eyes begging for mercy, bodies trembling.
"What's wrong, Mingyuan?" Empress Zhou Wanqing asked nonchalantly. "It's time to eat; don't make a fuss."
"I want her food thrown away, and the right order should be followed," Ji Mingyuan muttered through gritted teeth.
"Ming…" Yue Fie cried tenderly, sparkling tears running down her soft cheeks, but Ji Mingyuan didn't bat an eye.
"Now!" he roared.
The servants scrambled to their feet. One dished out a new set and served Liang Chen, while another grabbed Yue Fei's food and tossed it into the garbage without a second thought.
A new set was dished out for her, but the humiliation was appetite-draining.
As they all settled to eat, Yue Fie played with her food.
"Yue'er," the Empress called tenderly.
Yue Fie turned, her lips pouting, eyes burning with unshed tears.
"Yes, my mother," she replied softly, as if more pressure on her voice would break her throat.
"You're not eating."
"I am, Mother… I'm just not very hungry," Yue Fie replied. With how skinny she looked, one would think she was underfed.
"Still, you should eat. Or would you want something else?"
Yue Fie's eyes beamed with excitement. Slowly, she dropped her cutlery and turned to Ji Mingyuan.
"Ming… the Festival of Colors is approaching. Can we go like we did every year?"
Liang Chen's eyes grew wider, his lips curled, and he turned to Ji Mingyuan. His lips pouted, but those eyes of his screamed, "Go with her and die."
Ji Mingyuan straightened himself on his seat. Under the table, his hand rested on Liang Chen's thigh, and the latter jolted a little.
"I have a consort now, and the Festival of Colors is for lovers. I would love to take Liang out to float lanterns for his first festival."
Yue Fie opened her mouth, but no words came out. She turned to the Empress with those pleading cat eyes of hers.
"Ji Mingyuan, Yue Fie is your wife-to-be, and it is only right you greet the people with her like you've done in the past." She turned to Liang Chen. "Some disgraces are not worth parading."
Ji Mingyuan's lips curled. "To be." He stretched the word "Moreover, I know the news of my marrying a man has spread all over the kingdom. It would be a shame to confine such beauty within the palace walls."
"You…" The Empress's fist clenched, but Ji Mingyuan was already digging into his food with one hand beneath the table.
No one needed to be told it was resting on Liang Chen's thigh.
"The food is getting cold," Ji Mingyuan muttered as he dipped into his plate.
The rest of the meal went quietly, Yue Fei sulking at the sight while Liang Chen's face wore a victorious grin he didn't bother to hide.
Done with their meal, the Empress stood up and beckoned her sons to join her. Ji Mingyuan patted Liang's shoulder.
"I'll be back shortly," he whispered, then followed his mother inside.
Prince Ji Fengye snarled as he watched the couple's closeness. Everything about Ji Mingyuan angered him. His fists clenched, and he followed behind, staring daggers into his younger brother's back.
Meanwhile, in the living area, Yue Fie was left alone with Liang Chen.
"What spell did you cast on the prince?" Yue Fie asked, her voice cold and stern, a total contrast to the cute kitten she was moments ago.
"Spell?" Liang Chen raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, spell. And don't act like we don't know your kind. You can parade yourself all you like as consort, but keep in mind you are only a tool to the prince. He will never love you," Yue Fie hissed.
The word love rang in Liang Chen's mind. Wang Yourong had demanded the same; she had even accused him of feeling some sort of way toward the Prince of Yelan. But now, why didn't he feel like an object?
Liang Chen's smile grew, and he stepped closer. "At least I am a tool… you're nothing."
He turned to walk away, but Yue Fei quickly gripped his clothes and stumbled back, making herself fall.
Liang Chen wasn't an idiot; he followed right after, falling too. "Hel…help," She screamed.
He closed his eyes and prepared himself for the aftermath.
Certainly, the dead don't lie, and neither does an unconscious person.