CHAPTER 7: Xian-Ge Makes an Odd Request

"Unless you want me to"

Now, I want everyone to get a little real and be truthful to themselves for a moment. If someone told you this very sentence, considering the previous conversation, what would you think of the speaker?

I don't know about ya'll, but Yueying was starting to get 'loyal servant' vibes. Not that he was complaining, it was just very new to him.

Due to this, he'd gotten a little shy…again.

Now, keep in mind that Yueying doesn't fit the natural demographic of a strong, brave, courageous male lead. That's Yuxian's job, not his.

His role is that of a male lead, that's for sure. However, he's not supposed to be the male lead that simply performs acts of chivalry like saving maidens, taking those maidens out on dates and hence marrying one of those maidens. Which we can all agree is awfully stereotypical.

Though I suppose I might need to apologize for making him a bit, as some would assume "girly". However, I won't.

He's my son and I wouldn't have him any other way, so you all better take his shyness as a part of him [or else I'll appear in your dreams with an axe in one hand and a rubber chicken in the other]

Being a male doesn't strip you of your ability to experience shyness. Being macho ain't always it hon'.

Seeing the look on Yueying's face, Yuxian chuckled.

"I didn't mean to cause such a reaction from your part Young Master, all royal servants only do that which his or her master wishes", he explained.

"Oh. Yeah, duh", said Yueying.

"Then why has Young Master's face gone red?", Yuxian asked earnestly.

Yueying covered his face quickly. It was nighttime so Yueying had hoped that Yuxian wouldn't notice anything.

"Oh, it's just really cold out here, that's all"

Hearing this, Yuxian suddenly turned serious and straightened up.

"Young Master, we really must head inside now", he said.

Yueying found his ability to switch personalities incredibly interesting.

"Perhaps he's bi-polar?", thought Yueying.

Finally, they stepped into the expansive East Residence. Purple and white Chrysanthemums as well as wind chimes painted an almost ethereal ambiance. Fireflies could be seen dancing round the well-maintained grasses. Yueying exclaimed excitedly at the sight. He'd always enjoyed catching fireflies and even sometimes followed their rhythmic movements. Of course, he'd always be dragged away by one of the villagers. They all thought he'd gotten lost for the umpteenth time, but he didn't feel like he was.

Yueying followed Yuxian who was of course more accustomed to the entire residence and wouldn't get hopelessly lost in the myriads of rooms, corridors and side rooms. After a while, they'd finally stopped in front of two sections. One had the Yin character and the other, Yang.

They were well written and stylish as well, which served as no surprise. The city of the Moon was a place that mostly consisted of superficial people, so when superficial royals and nobility are brought into the matter, they of course had to have some face when dealing with this matter.

"The one with the Yang character is yours, Young Master", said Yuxian.

"Okay, but…", Yueying hesitated.

Yuxian looked at him in questioningly waiting for him to continue.

Finally, Yueying said, "Are you comfortable with the Yin Room, after all—"

Yuxian cut him off, "I am, Young Master"

Hao Yuxian had responded too quickly. One couldn't blame him though, who knew Yueying would bring up the topic he'd been trying to avoid.

In accordance with ancient Chinese belief, the Yin and the Yang were things that represented balance, harmony, and so on. It was also used to describe the relationship between a man and woman. The Yin represented Femininity while the Yang embodied Masculinity.

It was believed that through the harmonious merge of the two through marriage *cough cough*  flowers would bloom, rivers would run eternally, and mountains remain prosperous!

Yuxian was definitely a male through and through, a badass one at that, so to assign such a thing to him was a bit…unfortunate?

Okay perhaps that's too strong of a word, However, it was a truly lamentable situation. Of course, this wasn't the first time someone brought it up, there even some who belittled and mocked him based on such.

They'd call him spineless and say his brain had gone soft. After which they'd all yell together: "After all, his residence is ever so feminine"

These brainless NPCs were of course as previously mentioned too brainless to realize that there was another meaning to the concept of "Yin and Yang"

Luckily, after being cut off, Yueying realized this other meaning.

He left Yuxian's side and ran towards the Yin Room and pointed at its symbol

Excitedly, he spoke, "Xian-Ge, that means you're as cool as the moon then!"

Yes. The Yin character could also be interpreted as the moon.

Its peerless beauty puts the innumerous stars that dust the night sky pale in comparison. It provides light to those lost, solitary in its task.

 However, the moon cannot shine alone.

Yuxian widened his eyes in astonishment. Partly because Yueying addressed him as 'Xian-Ge"

Soon though, his shock was replaced with a warm and wide smile. One that was rarer than the rarest of flowers, only blooming when all the conditions are met perfectly.

"You got it Young Master", said Yuxian.

Yueying got even more ecstatic at the confirmation of his little victory.

"Then that means I'm the sun!", he said.

Yuxian smiled even wider.

The Imperial Majesties had always meant for it to be like this in the first place. Yueying would be their little sun, always shining and beaming with or without the influence of others. Whereas Yuxian would be the moon.

Solitary was he as a child, but ever so radiant amongst his peers. He hadn't gotten any better as a child and may be overwhelmed by the numerous stars.

However, the sun would take his place, allowing him some rest.

Yueying and Yuxian.

The Sun and the Moon.

Each supporting the other to ease their burdens.

A harmonious friendship destined to bring about blessings.

No friendship or relationship was always perfect. But they could make it work.

If this could happen, perhaps the souls of the Imperial Majesties would be more at peace. They'd finally see the child they took as a son and the child they never got to raise for long, doing fine without them and moving forward.

Yuxian was determined.

Some may try to pluck then sun out of the sky, banishing the land beneath to eternal darkness and a great depression.

Even at the cost of his life, he'd never let that happen.

Yueying had of course noticed the smile that Yuxian had. He was happy that the stone-faced Xian-Ge had finally smiled. After everything he'd been through, Yueying wasn't sure if this good brother could even understand what it meant to smile anymore, so it was to his great pleasure that 'there was still a little light in the darkness'

Perhaps this would be the perfect opportunity to do something since Yuxian seemed to be in such a good mood.

Yueying spun around and smiled wider, a trace of something new taking shape. Something called mischief with a dash of trickery.

"Xian-Ge, I know you're hellbent on using official terms when addressing me", said Yueying in a somewhat childish voice that sounded pretty much like his normal voice.

[Yes, I am implying that Yueying is a child. I mean next to Yuxian, he's a toddler]

"But I feel that my mom and dad, or the mom and dad you have in your memories, wanted us to be close. And if you keep calling me like that, we wouldn't be able to achieve that"

Almost like he'd been struck by a lightning bolt of clarity, Yuxian's expression flashed with an expression that was honestly so serious that it was actually a bit funny.

No. Very funny.

So funny that Yueying almost broke his character. I mean he simply had to do something about that 'Young Master' he insisted on calling him.

"I'm sorry mom and dad. I'll be using your names to trick him this time!"

After gaining control of his emotions, Yueying stood in front of him. He was supposed to look directly into his face but due to a shocking difference in height, he had to settle for his finely shaped jawline.

"Xian-Ge, you're older than me so I call you that. So, why don't you add 'DiDi' to my name.

Yuxian's eyebrows twitched at the mention of that word. He was eager to make their friendship work, but he wasn't that eager!

Seeing that the expression on Yuxian turn weird, Yueying suggested something else.

"Now I may be the 'sun' but my name does have ties to the moon. So why don't you call me A-Yue?"

Yuxian's expression eased into something much less constricted. It seemed he'd accepted this one

Yueying lit thousands of incenses for his parents in his head but maintained his expression.

"Wonderful!", he exclaimed.

"That means you're Xian-Ge and I'm A-Yue"

Yuxian nodded happily at this.

Though very suddenly, his expression went a little weird again. Yueying wasn't even able to properly worry about anything before Yuxian opened his mouth, his words flowing out in a resolute manner with conviction, and possibly a little oppression.

"Only I can call you A-Yue, and you are the only one who may address me as Xian-Ge"

"…"