【6】

"Your Highness..."

Eunuch Wei's voice was heard and Meng Yue, who was in the midst of his reading session, paused and looked up at the servant.

"What is it?" He asked, his voice soft and soothing as usual and a part of his hair fell off his shoulder, caressing the side of his face. His eyes showing his curiosity in being called as he looked at the other. Eunuch Wei then quickly proceed with his question.

"Is Your Highness alright?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" The Prince Consort asked again, clearly not knowing why such a question was brought up to him as he placed aside the bamboo-made book on the mahogany table with a small 'clack'. He then raised his teacup to his lips and took a sip, his all over calm demeanour only made the eunuch feel more anxious.

"Isn't Your Highness bothered by the fact that the Emperor is to be with a concubine tonight?" Eunuch Wei asked once more, his head a little raised as he tried to sneak a peak at his master's expression. He flinched and quickly ducked his head back down when he heard a sigh come from the royal and he feared that he may have overstep his line.

"And why would I be bothered? It's his job as an Emperor to have an heir for the throne." Meng Yue calmly said, an air of enlightenment around his tone as he placed the teacup down. "And what right do I have to stop such a compulsory royalty tradition? I'm only a Prince Consort and his husband."

"And I needn't worry about him as I know where his heart lies." The Prince Consort further added and that made the eunuch confused that he tilted his head.

"What do you mean, Your Highness?"

"You will know later tonight."

[❄️❄️❄️]

Night soon befall on the Forbidden City, the stars glowing their lights across the dark twilight, the lamps being lit up by the castle servants all across the palace. The light casting a shadow of a man against the screen door.

Meng Yue was humming softly to himself, in his hands he held his jade flute, caressing it gently yet he made no sign to play the instrument. His expression showed that he was deep in thought, staring off into a distance while the candlelight danced off his face, giving his eyes a light orange sparkle in them. His eyes were closed as he raised the flute yet stopping halfway and he let out a sigh, wanting to let it down again when a voice was heard.

"Aren't you going to play?"

Meng Yue snapped his head up, his eyes meeting another. He seemed to be in a daze before a smile was seen on his face. At the doorway stood Wang Hai, leaning against the doorframe by an arm as he seemed to be catching his breath. Despite how he seem exhausted, he was still able to send a smirk towards the other.

"Why are you here?" Meng Yue decided to ask as he quickly got up, making his way to the other so that he could guide him to the bed. Wang Hai seemed to snort at the question and gave a look of amusement.

"Eunuch Wei told me that you told him how you wouldn't worry and see for himself tonight. Doesn't that tells me you were already expecting me?"

"It was just a harmless guess."

"A guess which you're very confident in. Knowing well that I would come back to you instead of staying the night with the concubine."

"It's really your choice, Your Majesty. Whoever is it you wish to be, I was just grateful that my hope was not in vain."

"Do you really think so little of my loyalty to you?" Wang Hai frowned a bit at how little faith it seemed to be within Meng Yue. Meng Yue look at him with a shake of his head.

"I don't. Not at all. I just don't wish for the women to see me as a target of their jealousy."

"Oh..."

"Don't worry too much, Ah-Hai. I will deal with the harem while you rest your mind on the court affairs. I'm assured that I'm able to handle it."

"I never really understand the motive behind their jealousy....it's not as if anything good come of it."

"Just get some rest, that concubine you were accompanying tonight is probably going to hate me."

"It's not my fault I love my man more than her. I didn't ask her to join the harem."

"Ah-Hai!!" Meng Yue blushed at that as he whacked the other on the chest. Both of them were already in bed and the embarrassment was enough to make Meng Yue pout and quickly turned to lay on his side, his back facing the Emperor. The Emperor only laughed in response.

"It's not as if I'm lying???"