The following day, Wang Tao and Zhou Jian sat under the pavilion playing chess. Zhou Jian carefully studied the board contemplating his next move when Chen Xiang came up to them.
"Morning Jian Ge, W...Minister Wang!"
"Morning Xiang er."
The Emperor hugged his lover and pulled the boy onto his lap. Chen Xiang gave his lover a kiss on the cheek before turning to look at the other man. Clearing his throat, the Empress said,
"I apologize for my actions, Minister Wang. I now know that my intimacy made you uncomfortable. Sorry."
Chen Xiang bowed his head and looked up at Wang Tao, waiting for his forgiveness. Zhou Jian gently nudged his lover to remind him of something and Chen Xiang frowned slightly.
"I also apologize for how my actions could have caused misunderstandings and hurt your reputation. I'll be careful from now on."
Chen Xiang hid his dissatisfaction and growing hate at having to apologize. He needed to show the Emperor that he repents and hadn't done it on purpose. Wang Tao tilted his head slightly in confusion before nodding.
"It's ok."
"Really?"
"Yeah, it was just a name after all."
The Empress smiled brightly and looked up at the Emperor. Zhou Jian gently rubbed the boy's head before the two continued their game. Chen Xiang soon left and Zhou Jian kept glancing at Wang Tao.
When Wang Tao raised his eyebrow at him, the Emperor decided to just say what was on his mind.
"What did you mean by just a name?"
"Huh? Wasn't he calling me Wang Ge?"
"Yeah but…that wasn't the problem."
"It wasn't?"
Emperor Jian looked at his minister in surprise. Wang Tao had tilted his head in confusion and Zhou Jian realized that his friend was serious.
[ Did he not understand that what Chen Xiang was doing was like hitting on him? It couldn't be that he was oblivious. Was he only uncomfortable because of the term and intimacy not the possible intentions as well? ]
"Wang Tao, what did you think was Xiang er's reason for doing that?"
"To be friends?"
Zhou Jian covered his mouth in an attempt to stifle his laughter but failed. The Emperor burst out laughing, shocking his minister. Wiping his eyes, Zhou Jian reveled in his discovery.
[ I didn't realize that this cold man, who could give off such a dangerous aura and was a Celestial…could be…so innocent. How didn't I see that side of him? ]
"Are you okay?"
"Mmm, I'm fine. "
Zhou Jian smiled in amusement as he met the skeptical eyes of his minister. He wondered how a Celestial managed to be that clueless.
The Celestial probably never cared to learn about these things.
Although it was unlikely for him to know zero theory on the subject, it's obvious he can't make the connection with life experiences. Maybe if Zhou Jian gives some form of explanation, Wang Tao would come to a realization.
Once he got out of his thoughts, he assured the other that he was fine and they continued the day. Zhou Jian decided not to explain to his friend.
[ It would be a pity if such innocence was tarnished. ]
- - - - - - - - - -
Chen Xiang picked up a bun from the choices on the table as he watched his lover in front of him. The two were having a meal together, half a year later.
"Xiang er, it will be your birthday next week. Is there anything you want?"
"Umm, not really…I just want you and a happy life."
The boy blushed as he lowered his head to eat. Zhou Jian felt his heart melt and he leaned forward to give the boy a kiss. Holding the other's hand, he promised that he'd make his birthday enjoyable. His Empress smiled brightly before pulling back his hand to drink his tea.
As Zhou Jian brought his tea to his lips, his eyes widened and he dropped his cup. With a clang, it fell and shattered, along with Chen Xiang's.
Trembling, the Empress' eyes widened in shocked just as he collapsed. The nearby servants instantly shrieked at the sight.
Ignoring his soaked robes, Zhou Jian rushed forward and caught his lover. He watched in horror as the youth uncontrollably coughed out black blood.
"Hurry, call the Imperial Physician!"
The Emperor ordered harshly to the panicked servants as he used his robe to wipe away the blood. Holding his lover close, Zhou Jian lifted him up and swiftly carried him to their quarters.
The physician arrived just when Chen Xiang was laid on the bed and immediately started. Emperor Jian nervously watched, praying in his heart that the boy would be fine.
A while later, the Imperial Physician turned towards the Emperor and requested that they step out. A foreboding feeling crept up Zhou Jian as the elderly man started to fill him in.
"Your Majesty, I apologize but…I can't do anything for him. It's too late. I advise that you say your goodbyes as he only has a few minutes left."
Zhou Jian's face darkened and a murderous aura exuded from him. The physician trembled and he began to worry for his life. Just as Zhou Jian opened his mouth, a voice called out,
"Zhou Jian."
Physician Li turned in shock to the man who dared call the Emperor by his name. There stood Wang Tao with a slight frown on his face and his phoenix eyes showed his worry. Physician Li glanced at the Emperor, worried for this minister's life but was shocked once again.
The Emperor wasn't angry and instead showed an expression of shame. It was a weird sight that had never occurred before. Wang Tao's words had snapped Zhou Jian out of his anger and had caused him to reflect on his next actions.
He knew that he was most likely going to order his physician to try again and would waste his lovers remaining time on a vain attempt.
When the physician would fail, Zhou Jian obviously would have flown into a rage and punished the man.
Emperor Jian realized the problem with that and so was disappointed in himself. He was normally very level headed and calm and so it was rare for him to become so muddle headed.
Zhou Jian mumbled and apology but Wang Tao shook his head.
"Jian, it's okay. I understand. Now let's hurry and go inside, there isn't much time left."
Nodding, the Emperor and his Right Minister hurried in and there on the bed lay the pale Empress, his eyes closed as if asleep.
Kneeling by the bedside, Zhou Jian tenderly held the hand of his lover and kissed it. The Empress struggled to open his brown eyes as he looked over at the older man. Smiling weakly, Chen Xiang held his lover's hand tightly.
"Jian Ge...sorry. Sorry…I can't stay with you…again...please forgive me. I…love…you."
The room was filled with a heavy silence as the boy took his final breath. Zhou Jian's tears fell as he watched the boy close his eyes. He stared until the arm in his hands went cold. Letting go, he clenched his fists.
[ How could I be a good lover if I can't even protect Xiang er? This was now the third time he left me! ]
Zhou Jian was angry and disappointed but all these emotions were directed at himself. Kissing the frightengly cold hand, he vowed to himself that there wouldn't be a next time.
Standing up, he ordered his shadow guards to find the one responsible. Gently, he tucked his lover's stray hair behind his ear and called for servants to handle the body.
Wang Tao bit his lip, unsure of what to do. He wondered if the man just needed some space now and moved to leave when his hand was grabbed.
"Please don't go."
Warmth bubbled inside Wang Tao nodded as his eyes met gold ones.
He tried to ignore the slight disappointment when Zhou Jian retracted his hand. Shaking his head, Wang Tao berated himself silently.
[ Right now Zhou Jian needed him, it wasn't time to think about such useless things. ]
Servants quickly came in and brought the body out as news of the Empress' poisoning and death rapidly spread. Watching his lover's body be taken away, Zhou Jian held back the urge to stop them and left to head to his quarters.
______________
A day after the grand funeral, Zhou Jian's shadow guards discovered that a jealous maid was the one who poisoned the food. He was a bit suspicious and had ordered an even further investigation.
In the end, there was no other evidence that could be found and the maid had also admitted to the crime so Zhou Jian had to take it as it was. Ignoring the doubts in his heart he ordered for the maid's immediate execution.
_________
Zhou Jian wandered around the palace two days later. Spotting the Emperor, Wang Tao walked up to him and observed the pale man anxiously. When he reached by his side, the Emperor said softly,
"Don't worry, I won't hurt you again."
He faced his friend who seemed slightly confused.
"I meant that I won't commit suicide."
He couldn't bear to do that to his friend again and so decided to stay.
He also didn't want Wang Tao to leave his parents to follow him.
"I'm planning on giving Yuan the throne, it's easier than raising an heir myself. Even though he couldn't make it back for the funeral, he'll be here in a few days."
"Will you be okay? You won't see Chen Xiang for so long."
"Mmm, it won't be too long though. After your parents pass we can leave. Besides, I have you. It won't be too bad."
The Emperor smiled at his friend and Wang Tao couldn't help smiling back. It was great for him to know that Zhou Jian felt that close to him.
Wang Tao's heart rate sped up as he was overwhelmed with joy. The Celestial never imagined that they could become so close.
[ I really couldn't ask for more. ]