Lover Number 7.4

"You…" A sensation akin to a heart being squeezed gripped Li Jie as he gazed at Hong Tao, who seemed like a reflection of himself, albeit a stronger one.

"Get up," Li Jie spoke softly, a genuine smile on his face, as he bent down to assist Hong Tao to his feet. "Let's find a more secluded place where we can talk openly."

Hong Tao had braced himself for a far less forgiving reaction from the crown prince, and his surprise was evident as he looked up at Li Jie.

Without further words, Li Jie led the way toward the Imperial Garden. Initially, he considered taking Hong Tao to his private quarters, but he feared it might be misinterpreted, so he opted for a more neutral location.

During their silent walk, Li Jie took the opportunity to organize his thoughts, contemplating what he should convey to Hong Tao. By the time they reached a quiet bench, he was ready to broach the subject.

"I don't want this any more than you do," Li Jie confessed, offering a smile as he spoke.

His words caught Hong Tao off guard.

Li Jie had considered that Hong Tao might share their conversation with others, but he chose to place his trust in people.

He reasoned that even if Hong Tao were to spread rumors, who would believe them? Li Jie could simply spend more time with his harem to dispel any misconceptions.

So, he decided to be honest with Hong Tao, recognizing that the situation, no matter how challenging, inherently favored him, the crown prince.

"You don't?" Hong Tao exclaimed in surprise, momentarily forgetting formalities in addressing the crown prince. Li Jie's lack of concern over this lapse in decorum reassured him.

Li Jie's grin widened. "I loathe this situation," he admitted, an undertone of frustration in his voice. "I loathe it so profoundly that if I were granted the opportunity to start anew, I would never have embarked on such a disastrous plan."

"Then you..." Hong Tao hesitated, uncertain about how to articulate his thoughts, fearing he might inadvertently cross an unspoken boundary. "I mean..."

Li Jie anticipated his unvoiced questions, his grin tinged with a simmering resentment that lay beneath the surface. This was the first time, aside from moments shared with Han Yasheng and Parsa, that he had permitted his inner turmoil to manifest so openly.

"I understand what you mean," he acknowledged. Hong Tao's presence and their shared circumstances seemed to foster a sense of kinship, an understanding that he could be candid with this young man. "And your answer is yes."

Hong Tao, who was not typically inclined toward political scheming, sensed the crown prince's intentions with remarkable clarity. Instead of being overwhelmed by anxiety, he felt an overwhelming sense of relief.

"Li Jie..." Hong Tao dropped his pretenses, now that he knew where he stood with the crown prince. "I'm in love with another man, and we've been in a relationship for over five years. My father discovered our connection, and just before he could enact any punishment, news of your harem reached our ears. He seized upon this situation as an ideal opportunity."

Hong Tao continued, his voice a mixture of earnestness and resolve. "He told me that by collaborating with you, we could amass power and I could openly be with a man. But, as you likely understand, it's not solely about being with a man; it's about being with the man I love."

He pressed on, his sincerity unwavering. "Thankfully, I had enough influence and loyal allies to conceal my beloved before my father could harm him. But I was powerless to prevent this situation.

"If you can ensure a lifetime of happiness for my lover in the light of day, then I'm prepared to assist you in every way possible.

"I never saw the need to accumulate my father's political influence, at least not yet. And once I entered the palace, it seemed too late. However, if you can offer me even a small measure of assistance, I pledge to rally the entire Hong household to your side."

Li Jie's gaze held a mix of gratitude and determination as he nodded. "I'll help you," he affirmed, the sincerity in his voice carrying the weight of responsibility. "I would have extended my assistance even if you hadn't said anything. After all, it's my fault that you find yourself in this situation."

Hong Tao's smile warmed, a genuine expression of appreciation. In the presence of the crown prince, he felt a growing sense of ease, a connection that transcended their current circumstances.

"Everything happens for a reason," he mused. "And, truthfully, I'm grateful that I had to come to the palace."

Li Jie couldn't help but be puzzled by this perspective. "Why would you say that?" he inquired, a hint of amusement tugging at the corners of his lips.

It felt peculiar to find comfort from someone who had every right to harbor resentment, especially considering the indirect role Li Jie had played in disrupting Hong Tao's life.

"You see," Hong Tao began, a contemplative light in his eyes, "if none of this had happened, my father would have forcefully arranged a marriage for me. Putting everything else aside, I know myself well enough to recognize that I would never be able to deceive a woman, even if our marriage lacked love. I would have been trapped in a life of pretense for the rest of my days."

Li Jie, moved by the revelation, couldn't help but chuckle.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince Li Jie," Hong Tao spoke with a smile, though tears threatened to well up in his eyes. "I now realize that this situation has not only rescued me and my lover from a much graver fate but has also spared a young girl from having her life marred by being tethered to someone like me."

Li Jie's contemplative gaze wandered over the meticulously manicured gardens of the palace. Moonlight bathed the surroundings in an ethereal glow, casting long, ghostly shadows from the towering ancient trees. The garden had witnessed countless secrets and conspiracies, echoing the palace's complicated political landscape.

Hong Tao's words hung in the air, a subtle reminder of the larger implications of their predicament. This alliance between the crown prince and a political pawn wasn't just a matter of personal preference. It was an intricate dance of power, where loyalty and duplicity intertwined, and the stakes were nothing less than the kingdom itself.

"I've never looked at things from this point of view," Li Jie murmured, an ironic chuckle escaping his lips. Beneath his laughter, however, lay the weight of heavy grief, which Hong Tao sensed but didn't mention. "But it doesn't mean that it's going to be the same with every member of the harem."

Hong Tao nodded in agreement. "It won't be the same for everyone, that's for sure. But having even one ally is better than facing this challenge alone. We must remember that, in the end, there will always be those who support your cause and those who side with your enemy. And, with careful strategy, we can shift those in the neutral zone to our side, perhaps even tipping the balance in our favor."

Li Jie exhaled deeply, his voice marked by the weight of his position. "I've thought about it extensively. I'm no novice to political games. But the reality is, I can't provide these officials with what they want when they're all pursuing their individual agendas with the emperor."

Hong Tao, emboldened by the growing trust between them, leaned in, his eyes serious and calculating. "May I speak more candidly, Li Jie?"

Li Jie nodded, his anxiety giving way to a growing sense of camaraderie. "Of course. We've shared our deepest secrets already; there's no need for pretense."

Hong Tao's chuckle held a hint of camaraderie. Despite their short acquaintance, the two felt an inexplicable closeness that eluded Li Jie in the palace's courtly intrigues.

In that moment, Li Jie experienced a rare feeling of warmth, akin to the affection he shared with Han Yasheng. Life could have its moments of goodness, but the abyss in his heart could only be filled with the cries of his enemies.

"Li Jie," Hong Tao said, his voice lowered to a conspiratorial tone, "I don't know what strategies you've employed thus far, and whether you've considered the idea I'm about to propose, but I'll voice it anyway. No kingdom in history has been built solely on truth. Ours doesn't have to be an exception. In the end, the foundations of everything in our lives, even our loves, are tightly woven with lies."