2. Hurting But There Is Still Tomorrow

Feeling suffocated to an extent that his eyes started to burn, he slipped out of the room and lept on a peach tree close to the palace. He sat on one of the top trunks looking at the few stars in the sky. The darkness seemed to embrace his loneliness.

"When will he come to me?" He murmured softly with a tear cascading on his cheek. He could feel his heart aching with a prickly feel. His mind went back to the events that had occurred a few moments ago. Disrupting his peace of mind. And also adding a lot of turmoil that's difficult to tame.

"I'm losing hope."

He could hear his own voice sounding very hoarse. And his throat feeling very dry. When he felt his eyes watery and blurry, he turned away from the sparkly stars above that appeared as if they were mocking him. He burrowed his head on top of his legs.

At first, he believed that time would change everything but he was soon proved wrong when the man he loved continued to sleep around. He felt very dejected and depressed but there was nothing he could do.

Many women had entered the palace and some of them had gotten pregnant. But miscarriages kept happening for unknown reasons. Lui Xian on the other hand found solace in these unfortunate times. Although he knew that it was wrong, he just couldn't stop himself.

Still trapped in his troubles, he continued mopping as if there was no tomorrow.

Gradually the peach blossoms above him gave a fragrant sweetness that eased his emotions before luring him to sleep. It was comforting to feel the chilling whisps of the wind on his skin. The trifling emotions he felt were slowly subsiding and he felt more at ease.

When he squinted his eyes open, he was greeted by little birds flapping their magnificent, and colourful wings in front of his face. They landed on a branch to pluck at some flowers. He could not help himself but smile before getting up and straightening his robe. He prepared to start yet another day. Lui Xian then shielded his eyes from the rising sun and jumped down landing stealthily on the ground.

Servants were busy running about. Some cleaning the yards and pavements and some were cleaning the various rooms and preparing for their masters' meals. It was not easy for them. Soldiers were also marching about, running errands and also changing shifts. Ministers and scholars were on their way to their morning court.

Lui Xian rushed to his room to freshen up. After he was dressed in clean and fresh clothes, he went for a morning meal before he took on his shift.

"Your Majesty," Lui Xian bowed to the monarch with immeasurable respect. He was facing down as he waited for the other to wake up from his slumber. He didn't want to be reminded of the pain. But curiosity somehow tempted him and he looked up and peeked at the two on the bed.

The royal consort who had been accompanying the Emperor was still sleeping comfortably on the bed. She held onto his chest, sticking her sweaty body to his heavenly one. Seeing such a scene brought back that intense feeling he felt earlier and it came back with an unbearable force, multiplying it by ten folds. But he did not feel like crying, he continued to honour his respect.

Wu Luan opened his eyes after he heard his royal guard's call. He got up and looked at the man bowing in front of the bed.

"... it's morning already." He muttered lightly then turned to look at the weight that had shifted from his chest. When he saw the disgruntledness of the concubine on his bed, he rushed to push the useless thing away from his body.

The previous night he had been really satisfied but seeing her in his arms brought back a feeling of disgust.

Consort Kiruan also woke up after being ruthlessly pushed off the bed. She knew that the person she had been embracing was heartless but she had to endure after all power was everything in this world where women were nothing. She dressed up hurriedly and scurried away.

"Rise! And call for the servants to come inside." After giving this command the monarch stood up without even sparing him a glance. Lui Xian did what he was told not giving away any of his emotions.

The servants entered the room with the folded imperial brocade and warm water before dressing him and sorting everything that was out of place. They saluted before standing at the side waiting to be told what to do.

After exiting the Emperor's bedroom, Kiruan returned to her quarters and it was obvious by how she was glowing that she would go bragging about the night she shared with the emperor to the other concubines. She hoped she would get pregnant, she wanted to be the Empress as soon as possible.

On the other hand, Lui Xian followed behind Wu Luan for morning court. He was not to be seen whilst he was on duty. All he could do was hide in the shadows whilst he waited to return to his room.

After a shichen, he proceeded to his room before visiting the training ground to meet his dear friend. He was the only friend he had made in the palace. He was someone he could tell everything to. He was like a brother to him.

"Xian! You came." He turned to see a man wearing light blue garments, his almond hair let loose leaving some of it tied with a small crown. He was holding a bow and an arrow already placed on the middle, the string was already stretched at an angle.

"Your Highness." He greeted feeling better just at the sight of him. His energy rubbing off him.

"I told you to stop calling me using that title. Just call me Rushan." He grumbled while showing a pout at the other person. Lui Xian nodded, before joining him on the archery ground. He grabbed his own set and joined his friend.

"I heard that Imperial brother is organizing a hunt. Are you coming along?" Rushan asked. He let go of the arrow letting it fly before landing on the center of the circular wooden board that was some meters away from where they were standing. He smiled with a feeling of accomplishment. Archery wasn't his best skill so when he managed to hit the target he just couldn't help but marvel with joy.

"Bull's eye!" A soldier informed. She flapped a red flag before going to retain the arrows. She was fast and the whole area was restored to being neat and clear of sharp objects as before.

"Yes, I'm going." Lui Xian replied. He watched the other man put down the weapons.

"I won't lose this time. Last time you were just lucky. I don't understand why you didn't ask for anything from him. If I were you I would ask him to gift me hundred gold pieces to spend in the Red light district."

"...."

The two men continued talking and then walked out of the palace heading towards the gates.