Seventy Two

After their plane took off, Nalan and the others left the airport. On the way, everyone kept praising Zhan, marveling at how quickly he had won them over, and noting the many differences between him and Qiantang.

"Well, Zhan has always been different," Nalan said, beginning to share stories from their school days and how she used to pick on him. They all laughed in amazement.

"Now look at you...he's practically your big brother," her sister teased.

Nalan smiled. "Exactly. You never know someone's true worth or the gifts life has given them. That's why it's said not to belittle anyone or look down on them, because life is unpredictable. One day, you might find yourself beneath the very person you dismissed. I think I've always liked him deep down. It was his aloofness that used to get on my nerves."

They continued chatting and laughing until they reached home.

***

Even though they'd been on a spiritual retreat, they returned refreshed and peaceful. Zhan had continued drawing Yibo's attention, but Yibo was holding back, determined to keep a promise he had made.

Yibo first took him to visit Zhan's maternal relatives. Zhan had no idea what Yibo had planned until the very day they were to leave. The surprise touched him deeply. Aunt Anu had been hoping they would visit, but because of the large number of family members, they needed more financial support for the trip.

They were warmly received. The relatives were already aware of their remarriage and had wanted to visit earlier, but the illness of Zhan's paternal grandmother had prevented them, as her condition was very serious at the time.

Just like before, they mingled freely with the extended family, visiting many households... though a few lived far off. Everywhere Zhan went, Yibo was by his side. This made the relatives get to know him well. After spending a week together, goodbyes were hard, and they all promised to visit each other again whenever possible.

To Zhan's surprise, they also visited Queen Zhaiye's family in Henan, where he was again welcomed with deep honor and respect. He witnessed the reality of traditional rule and governance. He saw firsthand that authority and leadership were not mere titles....Queen Zhaiye and her kin had inherited this legacy, not seized it. Their stature and influence were undeniable.

Zhan once again felt the weight of the favor and recognition Yibo received. Everyone there treated him and his family like royalty. Sometimes, when they were being pampered, Zhan would just watch and wonder: Did I really measure up to this? Is Yibo out of my league? Have I overestimated myself?

Eventually, Yibo noticed Zhan watching him with that conflicted look. He gently grabbed Zhan's nose, smirking. "Don't give me that face like I'm some old man you're settling for. That look of doubt...save it. It only makes me feel weak and tempted to break the promise I made. Clear your mind of every worry or insecurity. All you need to know is this....Yibo is madly in love with you. The kind of love that goes beyond words or clichés."

He shook his head with a fond smile and added, "And I'll keep loving you until the end of time...until the day I'm called from this earth. I am yours forever, just as you are mine."

He bent down, kissed Zhan's forehead, and started to leave. He was on his way to meet his grandfather and have breakfast. It had become a routine...Yibo refused to eat anything unless it was handed to him directly by Zhan. He insisted it tasted better that way.

They spent ten joyful days with the family. During this time, Zhan was embraced completely. The family showed him so much love and care that he almost didn't want to leave. The twins captured Yibo's relatives especially they attention, and sometimes they would go an entire day without seeing him because of all the hosting and engagement.

On the eleventh day, Yibo woke up to a call from Xielin.

"Well, Mr. Loverboy, you got what you wanted. But you'll need to stop...now that your goal is achieved, head back and check your main company. There's trouble. I tried fixing things, but it's beyond me. You'll have to handle it yourself," Xielin said.

"I hear you. But don't call me this early again," Yibo replied coolly and hung up, leaving Xielin stunned. Then he chuckled. That's just how royalty acts... they're always one step ahead.

The company in question was the heart of Yibo's entire business empire. Any issues there could shake his entire reputation and operations. So, Yibo focused immediately on securing visas for both of Zhan and the twins.

The day he told Zhan, she simply replied, "You should just go ahead. Leave us and meet us back home in Tianjin."

Yibo shot him a look so sharp it could freeze blood, making it hard for Zhan not to laugh. He wanted to explain himself....Zhan clearly wanted to be with his husband, but he still kept pretending as though it didn't matter to him. He didn't realize that his eyes, his tone, and his whole demeanor gave everything away. And as for Yibo, he was only watching him to see how far Zhan would go. But Zhan felt there was no point forcing their time together if the man kept acting indifferent. That's why he had told him to go.

"I'm not a fool, you know," Yibo added. "Listen, my Prince... that was the old me, the one who was helplessly chasing you, with no trap and no net. But now I'm a grown man, a husband with a family. Anywhere I step, you're right by my side. I stepped back so I could have your consent before we become intimate."

Zhan widened his eyes.

"My job… Did you forget about my work in New York?"

Yibo was clearing the dishes they'd just finished eating. He didn't respond...he was too busy attending to the kids. It confused Zhan how Yibo could be such a different person with his family....calm, attentive, nurturing. You'd never guess he was a powerful prince or a global business magnate.

"Oh, so this is when you were still under Aunt Anu's control, huh"

After putting the kids to sleep, Yibo returned and looked at Zhan.

"You really think my husband should go out working? Working under some foreign boss who used to have a crush on him? Honestly, I'd call myself crazy if I ever allowed that."

Zhan couldn't find a reply. He just stared at him as Yibo gently blew air into his face and added,

"Don't worry. Since it's pediatric job, I already have a plan for you. Once we return to China, my wedding gift to you is your very own children's hospital. And if you'd prefer, you can also work in other hospitals wherever we settle. And if my Prince just wants to stay home doing nothing...I've got enough wealth to support us and our future kids for many, many years."

----

Upon returning to the country, Yibo became very busy again. He hardly had time for himself...he was fixing things, resetting operations after his long absence from the company.

Even the kids missed him terribly. They had grown used to his presence; he did everything for them. Now, it was all on Zhan, and the kids kept asking, "Where's Daddy?"

So Zhan would call and let them talk to him on the phone.

Yibo's behavior both amused and captivated Zhan. Even though Zhan pretended to be upset with Yibo or act distant, deep inside he was overwhelmed by emotions....by love for Yibo he didn't even realize he was showing. He thought he was holding back, but everything he did screamed affection. Still, Yibo played it like he didn't notice anything, which frustrated Zhan deeply.

Finally, the day Yibo managed to wrap things up early at the company, he returned home for the kids. He found Zhan finishing up dinner in the kitchen. Ever since they landed, Zhan had insisted on doing the cooking....he'd already stocked up everything they needed for the time he estimated they'd spend there.

With just one look at him, Yibo set his briefcase down, walked quietly to Zhan, and wrapped both arms around his slim waist, pulling him against his chest.

They both sighed, as if in sync. But Zhan wasn't expecting that gesture, and it made him tense up slightly.

"Careful, the kids could come in," he murmured, and Yibo pulled back just a little but didn't let go. Instead, he lowered his head to Zhan's neck and rested there.

"Your heartbeat… it's different from your words. You're lying to yourself, Zhan. Even if you don't say it, I know...you're glad I came back, right?"

Zhan pulled away.

"You came back for the kids. I know they'll be happier than I am. Welcome back," he said flatly.

Yibo chuckled, unable to hide it anymore. He, too, had reached his limit. He needed closure....and a new beginning. He planned that in four days' time, they'd leave for home. There, they'd have enough peace and time to open the next chapter of their love story...the kind lovers never forget.

"Alright then, I'll go where I'm more welcome," Yibo said, grabbing his bag.

Zhan almost asked him to stay. Almost. But couldn't.

As Yibo left the kitchen, Zhan heard the kids laughing with Yibo and smiled. He was reminded of the TV interview he'd seen of Yibo earlier. The same man....stern, elegant, powerful in the spotlight....was now a warm father bringing joy to his family.

The contrast amazed Zhan. He had fallen for Yibo completely without realizing when or how.

~**~

From the moment they arrived in China, Zhan knew this day was going to be special. Yibo was giving him a new kind of attention....playfully teasing him on purpose. Everything he did was laced with romance, carefully aimed to touch Zhan's heart deeply.

They headed straight to the Tianjin Palace and settled into Queen Zhaiye's quarters, where she had arranged lunch for them. Though the residence was a bit crowded due to the ongoing Lunar Year festivities, with many guests and visitors coming and going, the welcome was warm.

Zhan spent the entire day with the Queen, who now treated him like her own...perhaps even more fondly than she did Yibo. That made Zhan feel at ease, allowing him to see her as a mother figure.

Later that day, Zhan went to check on Qinnu. Her condition was the same as yesterday, nothing had changed. Everything had to be done for her...she couldn't even use the bathroom without assistance.

Zhan felt deep sympathy. Life could change so quickly. One moment you're a person, the next you're no longer yourself. Despite her wealth, royalty, and noble background, none of it could restore her health or shield her from fate. The sight left Zhan shaken.

Nalan, who had been sitting nearby, responded to Zhan's musings.

"They're simply reaping what they sowed. Even Qinnu, it turns out, had her hidden secrets. The weight of her guilt forced her to expose herself...just like Xueyin and the others. When a person's wrongdoings become too heavy, and if fate decides to catch up with them, they unravel themselves. That's what happened with Xueyin...no one even knows where she is now. His Majesty already issued her divorce decree. In this palace, if a royal wife is divorced, it usually means she committed a major wrongdoing, even if no one says it aloud. It stains her reputation, and not everyone will marry her again.

"And as for the public disgrace....everyone saw her and Aunt Dongzhi revealing their secrets in front of all the guests. That's why Dongzhi has been exiled from the palace for ten years. Sikong is bedridden in prison and has been ever since the incident. They eventually discovered he had HIV. What kind of life is that?

"That's why people should always sow goodness. You can't plant poison and expect to harvest grapes... it doesn't work that way."

Zhan was even more shaken by her words. They struck a deep chord. Nearly everyone who had once committed cruelty or betrayal seemed to eventually face the consequences.

"May we be stronger than our impulses. May we never wrong anyone, even in the smallest way," Zhan found himself saying aloud.

Nalan responded quietly, "Amen."

Soon after nightfall, Yibo arrived at Queen Zhaiye's quarters. He had spent most of the day with His Majesty in the court, but later broke away with Xeilin. Only now did he finally have a moment to himself. He had prepared for this night... it was going to be his second wedding night with Zhan.

He sat so close their knees touched. He didn't even seem to mind Nalan's presence.

"Where's Mom?" he asked.

"She's with His Majesty," Zhan replied, slightly turning his face away.

Yibo gave him a soft look that made Zhan's heart flutter.

"Let's go. I'm tired, my Prince. I need to rest now." Zhan pouted like a child.

"We haven't even said goodbye to her. And Jiangji and Jianghu are with her. We should wait," he said.

"No, not this time," Yibo replied, standing up and slipping Zhan phone into Zhan's handbag along with some of his other belongings.

Zhan stood reluctantly, adjusting his robe and looking at Nalan.

"Please give me my package."

Nalan got up without a word, while Yibo glanced over at her with an amused smirk.

"I'll fetch the message," she said.

"One minute. Don't take longer than that, please, my Prince," Yibo said, pointing playfully.

"Here, so now you love my brother but acting like he didn't matter to you" Nalan teased, handing Zhan a thick bag Queen Zhaiye had earlier given hin. Zhan hadn't opened it yet and didn't know what was inside. He grabbed it with a joking glare.

"Who said he didn't matter? My Yibo is too precious to be 'sold at the market.' Only the lucky get to take him home."

Nalan covered her mouth to stifle her laughter, clearly amused.

"Wow, is my brother really this expensive?"

Zhan smiled shyly, almost laughing, while he said, still walking out, responded,

"Absolutely. If you didn't know before, now you do."

Nalan was delighted to see the growing affection between her brother and her best friend, shining so clearly in everyone's eyes.

Only the two of them were in the car. Yibo didn't let anyone else come along...he wanted privacy, to show Zhan exactly what he felt. And by now, even Yibo could admit Zhan had no doubts about him anymore.

His hand held Zhan's gently as he drove, slowly rubbing his thumb across Zhan's fingers. The touch sent a shiver through Zhan's spine. The car's cool AC swept over him while a different kind of heat bloomed inside...his husband's touch, his presence, his love. Yes, today was no ordinary day.

Yibo turned slightly and their eyes met...just for a second....but it made Yibo smile as he turned back to the road. In a soft voice, almost like he was drifting to sleep, he said,

"I hope you'll welcome me into this new world. You might be tested by my love, the same way I've been tested by yours all these years."

Zhan lowered his gaze with a soft smile. Yibo's face turned serious.

"My Prince… this shyness...it's going to ruin me. I'm serious. In this life, I never imagined my own husband could make me feel this way. Please, let me have my world completely."

Zhan chuckled at his dramatics. He covered his mouth with his palm, listening intently to Yibo voice...the words of someone deeply intoxicated by love.

And....He could feel himself falling harder with every word. The power of Prince Yibo's love was wrapping itself around his soul completely.

NB

Actually, I really thought I will finish it in here, but it is not possible, so... 2 to 3 more to go...

Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛