The tears Zhan had been holding back finally escaped, streaming down his cheeks. He shook his head faintly, signaling that he don't want to drink it. King Yibo didn't say a word. Instead, he gently wrapped his fingers around Zhan's hand that held the cup of milk, guiding the cup to his own mouth and taking a sip.
It tasted unbelievably good... better than any milk he had ever had.
Still holding Zhan's hand, he lifted the cup again and drank. He did this five times before finally guiding the cup to Zhan's lips.
"Haaah…"
King Yibo exhaled softly, his warm breath brushing across Zhan's eyes. The sensation made Zhan tremble helplessly, nearly losing control.
"Do you want me to help you open your mouth?" King Yibo asked quietly.
Zhan quickly shook his head, parting his lips just slightly. King Yibo placed the cup against them. Zhan took a small sip, pulling back, but King Yibo calmly lifted the cup again. With no choice, Zhan continued drinking.
King Yibo stayed with him until the cup was empty. Then he set it aside, picked up pieces of meat, and fed Zhan patiently. They finished the broth together, sharing the last drop.
"What else do you want your majesty?"
He asked gently, still holding Zhan's hand.
With a tired, soft expression, Zhan whispered, "Sleep."
A faint smile curved King Yibo's lips, tenderness and fierce protectiveness filling his chest. He lifted Zhan's hand to his own lips, pressing a slow kiss to the center of his palm.
Zhan squeezed his eyes shut, burying his face shyly, heat spreading all the way into his bones. They both released a shaky breath. When Zhan tried to pull back to lie down, King Yibo drew him firmly into his arms, holding him against his chest. He lowered his face into the curve of Zhan's neck, inhaling his scent, warm breath brushing his skin and sending shivers racing through Zhan.
King Yibo felt as if he wanted to merge them into one, to feel Zhan moving inside his bloodstream...that was how deeply he loved him.
Zhan relaxed, melting against him. The comforting fragrance of King Yibo's cologne calmed him completely. With the warm breath in his ear and fingers stroking his hand, the waves of exhaustion took over. His body loosened, and within minutes his breathing slowed, heavy and deep with sleep.
King Yibo exhaled quietly, adjusting the pillow beneath Zhan's head and laying him down carefully. He gazed at him with half-closed eyes, his face lowered closely over Zhan's. Words spoken the previous night replayed in his mind, stirring a soft smile at the corner of his lips. He leaned in and kissed Zhan's forehead, his nose, and finally his lips.....lingering just long enough to feel them warm and responsive.
Then he pulled the blanket over him and rose.
He stepped into the sitting room without touching the breakfast prepared there. Daneen was gone; only his most trusted attendant waited nearby.
He acknowledged the greeting and headed toward the lift, his attendant following closely behind. He walked into the imperial court with his characteristic confident stride, a presence both commanding and dignified. News of his arrival preceded him, and everyone stood immediately with heads bowed until he took his seat. Only then did they sit, offering respectful greetings while stealing glances at him. He looked striking, almost radiant.... as if transformed overnight.
Today his expression carried a rare softness. Not a smile, but something gentler than usual, a subtle ease around his eyes. His attendant handled most speaking duties while complaints and petitions were brought before him. Advisors discussed matters of the empire, including reports concerning Prince Deng and his family.
King Yibo remained silent throughout. He listened, expression unreadable, even when the discussion grew tense until a distant royal uncle intervened.
He said nothing about the absence of Prince Langya, nor about Prince Deng, who had reportedly been discharged the previous night. The session ended in less than two hours, around midday.
After adjournment, King Yibo left with a formal escort of high-ranking nobles to visit his mother. Even inside their vehicles, servants bowed deeply as the cars passed, heads lowered until the procession reached the entrance to her residence.
The car pulled all the way up onto the veranda in front of her waiting hall before stopping. His trusted aide hurried out from the front seat and opened his door. Silence....no sign that he intended to move, let alone step out...until a full minute passed.
Slowly, he extended one foot, dressed in elegant white half-covered shoes that demanded attention. He paused again before bringing out the other. Another moment of stillness...then he finally stepped out completely. His intoxicating scent filled the atmosphere long before he even reached the entrance. The attendants hurried into position...after all, the King of Beiping himself had come, not a messenger.
Outside, guards surrounded the wing like it was a fortress rather than part of a palace.
Inside the living room, Danish-ara sat with Consort Xuan Ji and several noblewomen who had come to check on her. They all quickly stood, heads bowed.
His footsteps approaching the entrance brought instant silence, everyone stealing glances toward the doorway. The moment his foot crossed into the hall, breaths were drawn sharply. His presence alone commanded absolute awe....King Yibo, in all his imposing glory. His fragrance was legendary; every perfume faded when he passed.
He did not spare a look for anyone. His stride was calm, authoritative, bearing the pride of a man born to rule. The nobles greeted him endlessly, but only Prince Aoying, walking behind him, answered on his behalf. The others stopped walking the moment he entered.
Prince Aoying paused at the bedroom door after opening it, allowing him entry to where Dowager Taihou was resting.
His scent reached her before he did, prompting Jasrah, kneeling beside the Dowager with a cup of tea, to spring to her feet. The Dowager's fierce eyes locked onto the doorway, her heart pounding painfully.
The moment he entered, his cold sharp gaze found her instantly. Her own eyes filled before she shut them tightly and turned away. Pain....real burning pain.....spread across her chest, rising so sharply she felt it burst into her throat.
Instead of taking the chair Jasrah had prepared, he sat on the edge of the bed. He gently took his mother's hand in both of his and kissed it. Before, that would have earned him a smile....but today only heavy hot tears streamed uncontrollably down the face of the once-untouchable Dowager. She looked nothing like the regal, vibrant woman she had always been.
He closed his eyes, her pain cutting straight into his heart. After a long silence, he opened them again and looked at her. He pulled out a handkerchief and offered it....but she only clutched it tightly, refusing to wipe the tears.
Jasrah kept trying to comfort her softly. Concern tightening his brows, King Yibo looked at Jasrah, saying nothing. Understanding his request, she explained through her own tears:
"I don't know exactly what triggered this. She hasn't been herself for the past two days. I asked what was wrong, but she said it was nothing. Yesterday she finally admitted it was about Zhan. She said you should divorce him and drop all protection over him. She tried to reach you but was told you entered the inner chamber after 8pm. I tried to calm her, reminding her of everything you've suffered....the loss of your wives, the way rumors spread blaming you instead of the guilty party.
She seemed calmer afterward, but I still couldn't sleep. I know how she holds things inside. At dawn, I came to check on her and found her collapsed on the floor without breath. I called you, but you didn't pick up. I had to call her confidant to inform Momma. It took both of us and Dannen to lift her before the doctors arrived. She only regained consciousness later, and they sedated her again because she wouldn't stop fighting in fear. Her blood pressure rose dangerously... nearly harming her heart. But now that she's awake, the doctors say she's stabilized a little."
King Yibo kept his eyes fixed on Dowager Taihou for a long, heavy moment. Finally, he exhaled shakily.
"Why, Mom? Why would you risk your life because of me? Do you think I could ever forgive myself if something happened to you?" His voice trembled. "Please… don't make me live as an orphan. Losing Father left a hole I still fight every day. I stare at his face in yours together....that's how I find strength to wipe my tears before they fall. I'm not disobeying you...I'm trying to protect you from consequences you don't yet see."
He swallowed, voice quieter.
"Zhan is guilty of what he confessed. But I am a king. I must protect even the accused when others try to harm them unfairly. And above all....he is my husband."
The Dowager flinched, eyes squeezing shut at those words.
"There are rights he holds over me that I must respect. And as a ruler, I cannot pass judgment in anger without investigation....not even for my own people. And the act you believe he committed....he did not. You'll see for yourself tomorrow during the third court session. I promised to accelerate the trial for your sake. Please....calm your heart. Your Yibo stands with you completely. I will always obey you....as long as my authority remains intact and your in the right place."
...Yet, his words needed no addition; they simply settled in her heart. But she leaned in and raised her head to him, offering a small, brave smile. Slowly, she placed her hands on his face and stroked it, saying, "May you be blessed."
A smile touched his lips too for the second time, as he blinked and opened his eyes simultaneously, saying, "Amen, thank you, Mom. May fate grant you continued health and a long, blessed life," his lips moving. With that, he took the tea Jasrah had brought for her and continued feeding her.
She drank while watching him, further confirming Cao's words. For there was nothing to be seen about King Yibo except calmness and an overwhelming sense of completeness. His face seemed to shine, captivating the eye and confirming to any observer that he was a satisfied man. There was a subtle scent about him, underlying his own, that confirmed it wasn't solely his.
Tears welled up in her eyes again, and she trembled, for now she needed everyone to leave her alone because she needed to meet with Cao. She had to find a solution, for she would never allow her only son to get close to the one who had become her greatest enemy. Should she wander aimlessly, she would see Zhan's background, she would see who his father was, she would see who he was, what role he played that he could slip into the very core of her ambition, a ambition she had spent years building, shaking off anyone who sought to come between her, even by mistake.
She was the one who must make men run, THE INNER ONE, make men tremble. The wildfire will consume you even if you gather, until it is fitting.
The wife of the King of BEIPING, mother of the King.
Never, forever, she fell to the ground due to the fullness of her actions, the fullness of her ambitions. Nothing would prevent her from distroying Zhan.
Seeing that she had somewhat relaxed her body after the medicine and the tea Jasrah had prepared for her, Jasrah prepare her bath water, King Yibo finally bid them goodbye as evening approached. Deep down, his mind was split in two. One part was here, another part was with Zhan, whom he had also left in the state he had couse him.
Jasrah truly enjoyed his presence with them, seeing how her sister had somewhat recovered, and how Dowager Taihou had genuinely shown her pleasure, though she alone knew the anxiety and bitterness circling her spirit...
---
Zhan slept very deeply, so much so that he didn't wake up until late. Daneen, who was in the wing, checked on him from time to time. He finally woke up around 3 PM. His face was less fluffy and his eyes were less swollen, making his heart feel light. The fever had also subsided, along with the headache. The sharp pains had lessened, but if he moved with any force, it would reach his sore butt.
Daneen prepared a warm water for him. With her help, Zhan managed to get into the sit bath and then was left to bathe and finish washing his body. Before he came out, the room had been tidied again, incense was lit, and everything took on a pleasant fragrance. The beautiful, eye-catching clothes brought from Dowager Ruyan's wing were laid out for him, and Dannen left after giving him a short, encouraging talk.
Stealthily, Zhan came out, biting his lip. His body felt so light the wind could carry him away. His mouth was very bitter, and even the stiffness his body had yesterday was now mostly gone, except for a little pain when he moved. Now, just stepping into the hot water and soaking his body again made him feel better all over; it stretched him out.
He felt some relief at not seeing Daneen, as he felt very embarrassed and was just being stubborn. He dressed himself in the beautiful, ornate black attire adorned with sparkling stones.
Daneen came back in while he was dressing. Zhan had already noticed the beautiful dishes set out.
He was sitting when Daneen returned again. She sat near him and asked about his well-being.
Zhan answered her that he was fine.
Daneen just smiled without saying anything else.Then came the food, which she tried to serve him with her own hands, and Zhan ate a little, as the cooking was special from Momma.
Daneen was pleased to see Zhan eat the well-grilled meat heartily. She applied his medicines and then sat quietly, combing his hair, something that hadn't happened before. Soon, she styled it for him, tied it, then cleaned his face and applied some incredibly fragrant incenses that Zhan wasn't familiar with.
She also left instructions on how to use the incenses after bathing in the bathroom when he would.
Daneen lifted any weight and embarrassment Zhan felt about her staying to advise him and give him suggestions that would help him in his current situation,which was different from before.
The advice truly sank in as it should. Finally, she bestowed numerous blessings upon him, then placed King Yibo's phone, which she had seen on the side drawer, in his hand, advising him to wait patiently for the King to return. She also turned on the room's television and left the remote near him.
Zhan felt like crying, he felt so lonely being left alone again. He knew very well what he had faced last night at the King's hands. Daneen herself pitied leaving him. But what could she do? She could only choose to leave him with prayers, not wanting King Yibo to return and see her in the wing.
Zhan sighed deeply and swallowed the tears that filled his eyes, feeling a longing for his family stronger than ever today. Seeing that he would immerse himself in worry, he prayed for them to receive divine mercy, then picked up the remote Mamy had left for him and turned on the TV.
Searching channels, Zhan finally found one where a good film caught his attention, though the film had some scary parts in it. In a whispery voice, he said, "Let's just watch this one." He adjusted his position to lean against the headboard, took his popcorn, placed it in his lap, and began eating it with relish...
Zhan didn't even hear King Yibo enter, as his attention was completely captured by the film, despite the fear the movie evoked. At one point, he even hid his face before he could continue watching.
King Yibo sitting close to him and his breath landing on Zhan's neck made Zhan startle and almost drop the popcorn.
A slight smile, as if necessary, escaped him as he held Zhan. "Hey, relax." He said in a coaxing tone, as if afraid to startle him.
Zhan's eyes closed tightly and then opened, his heart racing rapidly, for he was truly frightened. Pursing his lips, he turned his eyes, which still hadn't fully recovered, giving King Yibo the loving glare that pierced his heart. Slowly, he said, "You scared me, seek my forgiveness."
King Yibo smiled again, saying nothing, and adjusted his position, leaning his head against Zhan's shoulder, his eyes on the television Zhan was watching. Coaxingly, he took Zhan's hand that was in the popcorn, took a piece himself, and put it in his mouth, saying, "Won't you offer some to me, baby?" he finished, looking at Zhan.
Quickly, Zhan averted his eyes from looking at him back to the TV, full of feigned nonchalance, he said, "See, you already ate it, it wasn't given to you."
His eyes blinked slowly and opened, he sat up properly, pressing his body very close to Zhan until Zhan's back was against his chest, while Zhan sat between the King legs. As for Zhan, the whole time he was embarrassed, but he... he had to endure it, for Mamy had advised him thoroughly to relax his body with his husband, to not create any gap that would lead the King to thoughts of another woman due to his own failure.
King Yibo placed one foot on a stool, allowing Zhan to find a comfortable position again. For about five minutes, he didn't say anything, and Zhan also didn't look away; they were both focused on the TV. While he held Zhan's hand and took popcorn to eat. As if compelled to speak, he said, "Did You ate food?"
Zhan raised the rest of his body to sit up because of how Yibo had spoken into his ear. King Yibo's right hand slipped inside Zhan's clothes, stroking his flat tummy. "I don't believe it. What did you eat?"
While wanting to pull his body away but being prevented by King, Zhan said, "Mamy gave me grilled red meat and milk."
"Hmm, lucky for Mamy's boy then. But i haven't eaten anything else? See, I'm very hungry, I haven't eaten anything since... since when I eat yours?"
Zhan felt completely as if Yibo had been swapped with someone else;this wasn't the quiet, stern King who would nod before speaking. Even now, he was acting as if it were obligatory.
Not daring to say anything to him, he completely lost track of the film's plot. King Yibo himself didn't know what he was doing; all he knew was that Zhan had completely captivated him with everything about him. He intensely desired to be with Zhan again. But he would restrain himself; he wouldn't act on it, he pity him, because of the stitches he had.
He barely composed himself.
Zhan, also in a slightly trembling voice, put down the popcorn to stretch. Yibo held him as if afraid he would run away. With a melting expression, Zhan looked at him, then he bowed his sparkling eyes, "I'll get you some food then."
Slowly, Yibo released his hand, blinking and opening his eyes upon him; the color of his eyes completely changed with a strong desire. The way Zhan walked, as if hesitantly and slowly, King Yibo watched, his pity for him completely overpowering him again.
He wanted to stop him, but the words were difficult, and he was truly very hungry.
Besides the milk he drank at Zhan's hamd and that bit of meat, he hadn't eaten anything else. Even when he came back after visiting his mother, he hadn't even glanced towards the dining room.
He had just bathed, changed his clothes, and come to check on Zhan, remembering how he had left him drained and feverish that morning....
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛