Shadows in the night

A'Xian walked toward Ji Haoyu's quarters, his steps slow and forceful.

The chill of the night air pressed against his skin, but the cold felt distant. His mind was still drowning in the weight of his father's words, of Zhou's capture, of the impossible task given to him.

His expressions remained obscure. He had perfected this act. But his heart betrayed him with every heavy beat.

When he entered, the room was empty.

A quiet exhale slipped past his lips.

He moved to the window, his fingers lightly brushing the wooden frame as he gazed outside.

The moon hung high in the sky, bright and unwavering. Unbothered by the blood and politics that tainted the ground below.

I should leave.

The thought crossed his mind, but his feet didn't move.

His thoughts were tangled, knotted beyond reason.

Why had he hesitated back there? Why did the thought of Ji Haoyu's death make something in his chest tighten?

It's just war.

It's just politics.

But even as he repeated the words in his head, they felt hollow.

The sound of soft footsteps entered the room, inaudible among the loud thoughts inside A'Xian's head.

Ji Haoyu returned, rubbing his face with his hands in quiet exhaustion. His robes were slightly loosened, his posture less poised than usual, evidence of long hours spent navigating imperial matters.

He noticed A'Xian by the window but did not call out to him. He simply watched.

A moment of quiet stretched between them, heavy but not uncomfortable.

Ji Haoyu moved toward the table and sat down. However a slight nudge against the wood caused the surface to creak.

A'Xian turned, his dark eyes meeting Ji Haoyu's golden ones.

"You're back." His voice was low, almost absent-minded.

Ji Haoyu chuckled softly. "Come here, A'Xian."

A'Xian did not argue. He didn't have the energy for that tonight.

With quiet steps, he approached Ji Haoyu but stopped at a distance.

Before he could react, Ji Haoyu grasped his wrist and pulled him forward, guiding him onto his lap.

A'Xian's body stiffened slightly, his breath catching. But strangely, he did not have the energy to fight back either.

Ji Haoyu tilted his head. "You're not opposing today.."

A'Xian looked away, his thoughts still in disarray.

And Ji Haoyu didn't press. Instead, he exhaled softly and rested his head against A'Xian's shoulder.

"I'm tired," he murmured.

He nestled his head on the A'Xian's chest, closing his eyes in comfort.

A'Xian remained still. He let Ji Haoyu do whatever he wanted.

The warmth against his skin was foreign yet not unwelcome as Ji Haoyu's lips brushed against his neck lightly.

On the upper neck. Then along his collarbone. A slow, deliberate trail of kisses.

His other hand slid over A'Xian's waist, pulling him closer.

A'Xian closed his eyes, his chest rising and falling heavily.

His body was growing warm—too hot.

His breath was irregular, and the sound of it made Ji Haoyu smirk.

"So sensitive," Ji Haoyu whispered against his skin.

But before he could continue, a loud shout echoed outside. And there was a loud commotion.

There was a sharp knock at the door.

Ji Haoyu's expression darkened instantly.

"What is it?"

A voice called from the other side. "Your Highness, a servant with guests from Qinghe has been murdered."

--

The murder site was swarming with guards. The air smelled of fresh blood.

A'Xian arrived with Ji Haoyu, his sharp gaze sweeping across the scene.

The victim was one of the attendants from his father's envoy. Slaughtered within the palace walls.

This is ..... odd..

He turned to look at Ji Haoyu, his brows frowned excessively.

This is really bad..

His father and brother arrived shortly after, their expressions severe.

They had just arrived when his father turned to Ji Haoyu, his tone clipped. "Your Highness, this is a grave insult. A guest of the imperial palace has been slaughtered under your watch."

His brother, Ling Lian, stepped forward. "The Yonglan Palace must provide a thorough investigation. This is a humiliation no foreign envoy should suffer."

Ji Haoyu's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression indifferent.

"Of course," he replied smoothly. "Justice will be served."

A'Xian, meanwhile, felt the weight of something deeper settling in his chest.

He knew.

He knew this was a setup.

Not that his father had told something about this earlier. They would never.

But it was a distraction. A power play.

He said nothing at the moment and simply watched as the game unfolded.

He decided to leave soon. There was much to it than a simple murder.

As he walked away from the murder site, A'Xian met his elder brother at a distance.

This bastard... he's the last person I want to run into right now..

He changed his direction, walking to the left now. But his elder still caught up, wanting to have a talk with him.

Ling Lian's voice was silk and poison. "I saw you arriving with the Crown Prince. You're even in his quarters at this hour."

A'Xian paused.

"Have you already befriended him so closely? Or there is something more to it?"

A'Xian did not react immediately. And then he chuckled softly.

"Jealous?" he taunted.

A'Xian turned, his arms crossed. Ling Lian was really pissed off.

"Careful, little brother," Lian sneered. "You're nothing more than a tool. A toy. You will be discarded the moment you cease to be useful."

A'Xian tilted his head. "And yet, you still need me."

The smirk that played on his lips did not reach his eyes. "So, tell me, dear brother.."

He leaned in slightly, voice lowering.

"..who is truly the toy in this game?"

Ling Lian's expression darkened. But A'Xian simply turned away, walking into the night.