Time marched on, and in the heart of the bustling capital city, a boy named Yu Xin sat alone in a restaurant. His eyes were filled with unhappiness. Before him lay a table adorned with a plethora of delicacies, a feast for any food lover's delight, yet he couldn't find any joy in them. The source of his gloom was none other than Feng Li.
In an attempt to quell his anger, Yu Xin moved his chopsticks, gobbling up the food before him. His cheeks bulged comically like a hamster as he ate, but the sadness lingered.
Over the past few days, Feng Li had been busy with something, but Yu Xin was left in the dark, clueless about the reasons behind his hectic schedule. Despite not being ignored by Feng Li, Yu Xin felt dissatisfied. They had spent two sweet years together, and Feng Li had always made him a priority.
But recently, Feng Li seemed to withdraw, always running away somewhere. Today, Yu Xin's face remained gloomy, burdened with sadness. Two months ago, on his nineteenth birthday, Feng Li had also been busy, but it hadn't felt as severe as now. Understanding that Feng Li was the crown prince, Yu Xin couldn't help but feel hurt by the lack of attention.
In a moment of stubbornness, he had asked Feng Li to take him along, but now he sat alone, surrounded by food and without Feng Li by his side. Half an hour earlier, Feng Li had taken him to a private room in the restaurant, ordering all of Yu Xin's favorite dishes. But their time together had been short-lived, interrupted by one of Feng Li's subordinates, whispering something in his ear. As always, Feng Li apologized and left with his subordinate.
Recalling those events, Yu Xin's anger surged, and his cheeks flushed red, tears brimming in his eyes. The maids who had accompanied him were quick to rush to his side, trying to console him. Meanwhile, Chu Hua sought out Li Long, who was guarding Yu Xin outside. She urgently requested, "Li Long, Sir is crying. Please inform the crown prince."
Li Long nodded and hurriedly went to find Feng Li. Unaware of Yu Xin's sadness, Feng Li sat in another private room, only two doors away from Yu Xin's. Today, he had come to discuss the possibility of marriage between him and Yu Xin. This matter had been occupying his time for a few months now.
In the ancient times they lived in, a marriage between two men was considered taboo, and despite the presence of male concubines, marriages were unheard of. Moreover, some ministers were opposed to the idea, making it an even more delicate situation for him.
Feng Li sat before a group of courtiers who spoke animatedly about their daughters, extolling their virtues and gentle demeanors. Concealing the coldness in his eyes, Feng Li listened to their banter, wondering why the gathering, initially meant to address the welfare of the citizens, seemed to veer into the realm of matchmaking.
His patience fading, Feng Li tapped the table, commanding attention, and spoke in a voice that carried an icy edge, "The reason for my presence here was to discuss the betterment of our citizens, not to indulge in idle talk." Calmly but firmly, he continued, "If you wish to retain your titles, focus on the matters at hand, and do not assume I am ignorant of what transpires behind closed doors."
With the air of a ruler, he asserted, "Furthermore, this year's examination will be under my scrutiny. Merit alone will determine the winners; there shall be no room for favoritism."
The courtiers' faces paled, fear evident in their eyes, though Feng Li had yet to be crowned as emperor. In recent years, the entire court had been under his control, even as a regent with the emperor behind him. As the only prince, his authority and power were undeniable.
Feng Li was well aware of the courtiers' attempts to push unqualified family members into prominent positions, their blatant unfairness threatening the integrity of the court.
Faking smiles, the courtiers hastened to reassure the crown prince, "Crown Prince, you are right. We convened to discuss the betterment of our citizens."
With the focus finally shifting back to the intended purpose of the meeting, the discussion commenced, only to be disrupted by the sudden appearance of Li Long.
Feng Li halted the discussion, and Li Long's solemn words pierced the air, "Your Highness, Sir is crying."
Immediately, Feng Li stood up, his mind filled with concern, and declared to the courtiers with a cold demeanor, "I'll be right back."
Leaving the courtiers to their unease, Feng Li's thoughts were consumed by the revelation that his lover, Yu Xin, was in distress. The courtiers were aware of Feng Li's affection for a male companion, but they never expected the crown prince to bring his lover to such a formal gathering.
On the other side of the restaurant, Feng Li hastened into Yu Xin's private room, his heart tightening at the sight of Yu Xin's tear-filled eyes, brimming with anger and sorrow. The sight of his beloved in pain ignited an urgent need to console and understand the root of his grief.
Feng Li settled beside Yu Xin, subtly gesturing for the maids to exit, granting them the privacy they needed. His hand reached out, intending to hold Yu Xin's, but he was met with resistance, leaving Feng Li to conclude that his beloved was indeed angry with him. The realization wasn't surprising, considering how consumed he had been with his duties, leaving little time for Yu Xin.
In a bid to ease Yu Xin's anger, Feng Li picked up a beautiful mooncake from the table. The mooncakes were with a golden glaze, adding a shimmering touch to their delicate appearance. Each mooncake was a work of art, adorned with intricate patterns, symbolizing prosperity and togetherness. He brought it close to Yu Xin's mouth, hoping to feed him. However, Yu Xin defiantly turned his face away, denying the offering with an air of displeasure. Setting the dessert aside, Feng Li gently lifted Yu Xin onto his lap, enveloping him in a tender embrace and planting a soft kiss on his cheek, murmuring, "Baby, I was wrong. Please don't be angry."
Still refusing to meet Feng Li's gaze, Yu Xin let out a snort of frustration. Feng Li, unwilling to let the issue fester, held Yu Xin's hand warmly yet gently, coaxing him, "Baby, if you don't tell me what's bothering you, how can I offer you an answer?" Despite the comforting gesture, tears continued to stream down Yu Xin's cheeks as he pouted, voicing his grievance, "You don't spend enough time with me."
Hearing his beloved's words, Feng Li's heart sank, fully understanding the pain he had inadvertently caused. With great tenderness, he wiped away Yu Xin's tears, witnessing the pitiful sight of his lover's tear-streaked face and pouting lips. While Yu Xin's cuteness melted Feng Li's heart, the sight of his distress weighed heavily on his own emotions. Wanting to assuage Yu Xin's concerns, Feng Li reassured him, "I've been busy because I want to marry you."
Yu Xin's eyes filled with bewilderment, struggling to understand how marriage and Feng Li's busy schedules were intertwined. Sensing his confusion, Feng Li offered a slight chuckle, explaining, "Courtiers often scheme behind our backs, so lately, I've been preoccupied with ensuring they can't plot anything against us." He continued, "In addition, I'm planning a special outing for just the two of us, without any maids or guards."
The gleam in Yu Xin's eyes brightened, his heart warming at the prospect of a private adventure with Feng Li. Despite having visited other places together in the past two years, they had always been accompanied by attendants. Yu Xin had yearned for intimate moments alone with Feng Li, away from the prying eyes of others, and now that dream was becoming a reality.
Overwhelmed with affection for his beloved, Feng Li couldn't resist kissing Yu Xin's eyes, his gaze brimming with adoration and devotion. The love he held for Yu Xin was evident in every gesture, and he cherished these intimate moments that bound their hearts together.
"Really?!" Yu Xin's excitement bubbled over, his eyes shining like a universe of stars, and his laughter sounded as sweet as honey, filling the air with joy. Feng Li's heart swelled with affection, feeling immensely grateful to have such an adorable and affectionate lover. He held Yu Xin tightly in his arms as if wanting to merge their beings into one. In a tender response, Feng Li whispered, "Yes."
Yu Xin's enthusiasm couldn't be contained as he wrapped his arms around Feng Li's neck, pulling him close for a loving kiss on the cheek. His smile radiated happiness, and at that moment, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the pure connection between them.
As Yu Xin's lips pressed gently against Feng Li's cheek, a warm tingle spread through Feng Li's entire being. He couldn't help but return the affection, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on Yu Xin's forehead. The touch of their lips sent a surge of love coursing between them, igniting a spark that had always been present but now burned brighter than ever before.
In that tender moment, time seemed to stand still, and the bustling world around them faded into a distant murmur. They were enveloped in their private universe, where their love was the only truth that mattered. Yu Xin's infectious happiness was contagious, and Feng Li's heart swelled with adoration for this beautiful soul who brought so much joy into his life.
Wrapped in each other's arms, they felt an unbreakable bond, a connection that transcended mere words. It was a silent promise, a commitment to always be there for one another, no matter the challenges that lay ahead. Their love was a force of nature, an unyielding and unconditional devotion that weathered any storm.
As they pulled away from the tender embrace, their eyes met, and in that gaze, they found comfort and understanding. They had been through so much together, navigating the complexities of life and love, and yet, they emerged stronger, united in heart and soul.