A/N just sending love <33
When Liu Qingyuan stepped into the inn, it was dark and quiet. All the guests had retired to their rooms and even the servants were asleep. He paused, doing a quick sweep of the premises. As expected, there was no one on the lower floor or the upper, private dining rooms. He was a little confused but proceeded upstairs anyway. The creaky boards caved to his desires, emitting not a single squeak.
Upstairs was the same, the only difference being the subtle sound of breathing from the sleeping guests. Liu Qingyuan ignored them, making his way to the room he'd occupied in his previous stay here. The VIP room was vacant, it's high price not appealing to ordinary travelers.
The door let out a small groan as he pushed it open, stepping lightly over the threshold. He expected someone to be waiting for him beyond, but the main room was also empty. Liu Qingyuan searched the side rooms too, his search yielding the same results. He stopped in his tracks, turning his head to see a glint of jade on the side table under the window. It looked like it was left casually behind by a traveler but the window beside it was slightly open, allowing the moonlight in and illuminating the hairpin in a way that would definitely catch one's eye.
Liu Qingyuan approached. The jade hairpin was simple, a single Yulan Magnolia carved at the head, it's petals flowing outwards in graceful lines. A single touch revealed it's fine quality. The hairpin was smooth, slightly transparent and reflected the light like water. The remnants of the alcohol made it seem like the hairpin was glowing.
Liu Qingyuan picked it up, quietly examining it. For a moment, an image of the hairpin in styled black hair appeared in his mind. The contrast was beautiful. Liu Qingyuan quickly shook the thought from his head before it could progress. He tucked the hairpin into his robes, eyes closing as if in pain. Then he turned and left the inn. He'd long figured out the clue.
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Jiang Zhilan was still asleep when Liu Qingyuan got back. He was now sprawled on the floor beside the low table, his hair a mess by his head. Liu Qingyuan gently placed the warm pot of water on the table, sneaking another glance at the sleeping king. He got up, moving away to check the room just like he had the first time. This search yielded nothing; as expected. Liu Qingyuan paid attention to the boxes and drawers that might contain jewelry. He knew what he was looking for: the hairpin with the glorious red spider lily on it. The hairpin that the king was wearing at their first encounter. Now that he thought about it, it was strange why the son of heaven would go around wearing such a solemn flower. Not to mention, the red spider lily was poisonous...
Liu Qingyuan's efforts did not yield what he wanted and he stared over at the king. The light was not very good and he only looked for a few moments before he moved to the wardrobe.
Behind the semi-transparent folding screen, the king's outfit for the next day was already prepared. Liu Qingyuan silently searched the robes, as it was common for people to have hidden pockets in the wide sleeves or skirts.
He went through the other robes in the imperial bedchamber but the secret pockets he did find were empty. At most, he found a couple of small, wrapped candies. Liu Qingyuan smiled for a moment, imagining the mischievous king. Realizing his action, he quickly crushed his smile and set the candies aside.
There was still one set of robes he hadn't searched yet. Liu Qingyuan looked over slowly, his gaze landing on the fabric draped over the king. It was a simple set, containing one light, thin inner robe and one thicker, lightly embroidered outer robe. Despite the simplicity, the outer robe still had the potential for pockets.
He approached him, stopping three paces away. Liu Qingyuan felt a tightness in his chest and he raised his hand to his mouth, coughing softly. He knelt in a smooth motion, his hand halting an inch from the king's collar. His fingertips settled lightly on his lapels as a slightly uneven breath escaped Liu Qingyuan's mouth. He licked his dry lips, and took a deep breath. His heart thrashed wildly as his fingers slid under the cloth, swiftly searching and trying to ignore the fact that only a thin silk inner robe separated his touch from the king's smooth, pale skin.
Just as he tucked his fingers under the belt, a hand grabbed his wrist. "What are...what are you doing?" Jiang Zhilan said groggily. He'd woken up to the sensation of a searching hand sliding down his body. The touch burned and trailed heat wherever it went. He stopped it before they could move further down.
Liu Qingyuan was frozen, another harsh breath rattling his lungs. His ears felt hot. "I-"
Jiang Zhilan sat up, the mess of hair on his head coming loose. From within the tangled mess, there was a glint of his hair ornament. The bun fell, the hair ornament loosening. As if in slow motion, the object fell. Liu Qingyuan's gaze shot to it, his brow crashing down in shock. The red spider lily winked at him, as beautiful as fresh blood and he reached out to catch it.
The king, who'd been watching him, saw the change in his face. It took him a moment to understand and in a panic, he grabbed Liu Qingyuan's face and wretched his gaze away. "You-"
The hairpin hit the floor, creating a delicate tinkling sound. But Liu Qingyuan was no longer paying attention. Jiang Zhilan had pulled him closer, warm lips covering his own. Liu Qingyuan's eyes burst open in shock, jerking back instinctively. The lingering taste of wine stayed on lips, smothered as Jiang Zhilan chased him. Liu Qingyuan exhaled sharply, his breath stolen away in the next second as the king leaned sloppily into his lap.
The king pulled away for a second, his gaze vacant and distracted, both confused and astounded at his own actions. Being looked at like that, Liu Qingyuan felt something hot stir in his belly. He wanted to reach out and pull him in, to drink down those parted cherry lips and watch as the pink flush on his cheeks spread to the rest of his body.
But he couldn't. He shouldn't. He-
His protests were swallowed by those greedy lips. Liu Qingyuan's hands clenched by his sides, but he didn't pull away. Jiang Zhilan's slender fingers wrapped around the back of his neck, pulling him down to deepen the kiss. Liu Qingyuan shuddered, hand falling naturally on the king's waist. He shouldn't-
But Liu Qingyuan had already lost all rational thought. A soft hand ran down his chest, tugging at the tightly wrapped clothes. Liu Qingyuan groaned lightly, trapping that hand in his own and pushing that figure onto the ground.
He half-hoped the king would push him away but Jiang Zhilan kept an arm hooked around his neck, dragging him down with him. And thus he was lost once again. Those lips were supple and sweet under his own, teasing him past the point of no return.
A thousand drums were sounding in his chest but a voice in his head told him he had to stop. It was wrong. His master. What would his master think?
The thought restored a thread of rationality and Liu Qingyuan broke away, staring dazedly down at the king beneath him.
"Q-Qingyuan," Jiang Zhilan gasped. His chest was heaving, face hot and lips numb. He wanted nothing more except those lips back on his own. But he saw the moment a thread of clarity appeared in Liu Qingyuan's eyes. The next moment, he was shoving him away with a horrified gasp.
"Wait, Qingyuan-" Liu Qingyuan retreated, falling to his knees and kowtowing, the position hiding his face from view. He couldn't hide the shock, self-loathing and confusion on his face, and so, he didn't speak.
The shock lasted for a second. Jiang Zhilan rushed forward, confused and embarrassed but clinging onto a sliver of hope. "You-" As if sensing his approach, Liu Qingyuan swiftly got up, avoiding his outstretched hand.
"Forgive me, your majesty. This servant deserves death." Liu Qingyuan's voice was hoarse and a little shaky but he quickly hardened his shell and withdrew into that icy exterior. Still flushed and with his clothes askew, Jiang Zhilan stepped forward again.
"Yuan-"
"It's not appropriate, your majesty." Seeing that Jiang Zhilan wasn't going to order his death, Liu Qingyuan rushed to speak. "Your majesty is merciful. This servant will leave first." Without another word, Liu Qingyuan stepped past him, practically running for the door.
"Wait!" Liu Qingyuan pretended not to hear him. "I'm telling you to stop!" Jiang Zhilan commanded. With no response, he chased after him in a few large strides, reaching out to grab Liu Qingyuan's arm.
Nothing escaped Liu Qingyuan's training. He turned at the last second, instead, grabbing Jiang Zhilan's wrist in his hand. The moment he stopped his advance, he dropped his arm like it was a hot potato. Jiang Zhilan reached for him again, trying to stop him from leaving.
"Qingyuan! Wait! I-"
"Don't touch me!" Liu Qingyuan trapped both his arms in his grip, eyes glaring out from under his brow. Jiang Zhilan recoiled at the harsh words, but he could also see the myriad of emotions in Liu Qingyuan's eyes.
"I- I'm sor-"
"It doesn't matter!" His voice held a rare hint of distress. The hold on Jiang Zhilan's arms disappeared and he slipped out the door faster than he could comprehend. Jiang Zhilan was left standing alone in the dark room, his collar pulled loose and his hair messily falling about his face. The shadows covered his eyes but one could see the sadness as he gently ran a finger over his lips.
After a long while, the king slowly made his way back to the messy table. The water had gotten cold already. The spider lily hairpin, his treasure, was lying under the moonlight, it's surface unblemished. It glittered coquettishly and the king gently leaned down to pick it up. He stroked a red petal, pondering on the disheartening meaning of the flower.
"Final goodbyes huh? That won't happen, right?" The king mumbled to himself. He caressed the smooth, exquisite petal, thinking back to the complicated emotions in Liu Qingyuan's eyes. He knew. He must have.
Jiang Zhilan closed his eyes, a pained expression on his face. His hands trembled slightly; the future was so uncertain. He didn't want to believe it, but all the signs were pointing in the same direction. The bandage on his collar, and his reaction just now. Jiang Zhilan may be a king but he wasn't ignorant. This man, Liu Qingyuan. He wasn't here to live a comfortable life as a palace guard. He wasn't here to reap merits or gain glory. He was here for something else. And that thing was the king's life.