Chapter Six:
“Vivid Dreams of past”
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(In Xiaoniao's dream of his past life)
***
Another night had passed, and Xiaoniao couldn't help but sigh once more. The emperor hadn't come to visit him again. The night was young and quiet, with stars softly twinkling in the night sky. Only the sounds of night insects filled the air. Xiaoniao shivered in the cold, adjusting his thick cape and rubbing his arms while keeping his eyes fixed on the gate of his castle. He huddled on the pavement.
Lixin had scolded him earlier for exposing himself to the cold every night, but he never listened. Instead, he sneaked out once he was certain that Yangfan and Lixin were both fast asleep.
Xiaoniao gazed up at the leaves of the sturdy maple tree that he had planted. A week ago, a tragic event had unfolded - the late Crowned Prince and elder brother of the Emperor, Crowned Prince Cheng Xuesong, had taken his own life in front of the ancestral hall. He left behind a note addressed to his deceased lover.
No one knew the identity of the late prince's lover, but a few months prior, after the great war against Hundun, the beast of Chaos, they the Great Imperial Army lead by Marshal Wu had emerged victorious but at a great cost. The war had caused extensive damage, depleting the resources of the five nations, and even the four great sects were left in a battered state. In response, the Emperor had decided to send troops out to gather more resources. Since Marshal Wu was in poor condition due to the previous war and with the absence of the prince from current Emperor lineage, the ministers had voted to send Shen Yuze, the eldest son of Governor Shen Changli, to lead the troops.
However, tragedy struck on their way back. The troops were ambushed by rogue cultivators who appeared to be remnants of the worshippers of Hundun. No one survived that brutal ambush, not even Shen Yuze himself. When Prince Xuesong received the news, he was devastated to the point of refusing food and sleep, and nobody knew the reason for his despair. It wasn't until some of the First Prince's handmaids couldn't keep their mouths shut that the truth was revealed - one of the deceased members of the troop was the secret lover of the prince.
But no one knew the true identity of the late prince's lover. This uncertainty weighed heavily on the Emperor, causing him to grow more restless with each passing day. He would visit his older brother's palace and attempt to console him, but the prince remained stubborn, refusing to heed anyone's words, not even those of his dear little brother.
Fearing the toll this was taking on the Emperor, Xiaoniao, as his Empress, yearned to provide comfort. Sadly, the Empress Dowager had forbidden him from leaving the palace, so every night, Xiaoniao would patiently wait at the palace gate, hoping the Emperor would come to him. Yet, night after night, his beloved never appeared.
One day, while playing by the lake near his palace and assisting Yangfan with their laundry, Xiaoniao encountered the First Prince. They quickly became close acquaintances, often meeting and engaging in heartfelt conversations. Their interactions began to ease the prince's troubled soul, offering him some solace.
However, unexpected tragedy struck. One afternoon, the prince failed to arrive for their usual meeting, and it was during this absence that Xiaoniao received the heartbreaking news: Prince Cheng Xuesong had taken his own life, leaving behind an almost 8-month-old hatchling that had yet to emerge from its shell. The Emperor, consumed by grief, mourned for days on end over the sudden loss of his elder brother.
Xiaoniao, who could empathize with loss, having recently lost his own brother, penned numerous letters to the Emperor to convey his emotional support. He assured the Emperor that he was always welcome to visit if he needed someone to talk to. Days and nights, Xiaoniao patiently waited, ensuring he had warm cookies and tea prepared. His desire to help was fueled not only by his empathy but also by a promise he had made to his late brother, Xuesong - a promise to take care of the Emperor, no matter what.
Understanding that some people require ample time to cope on their own, Xiaoniao didn't mind waiting for the Emperor, day and night. He had heard from passing maids that the Emperor had decided to raise the hatchling left behind by his older brother. Currently, Consort Shen Xing Mei was caring for the hatchling.
As night fell, the surroundings grew dark and empty. It was already late, perhaps close to midnight. While Xiaoniao wished to remain outside, waiting for the Emperor, he understood that the Emperor might not come.
With a heavy heart, Xiaoniao decided to head inside. But before he could take a step, a gentle, melodious voice reached his ears.
"Excuse me, but may I know why Your Majesty is still awake at this hour?" The voice was soft and carried a hint of concern. Xiaoniao turned to see a young man dressed in lilac scholar attire. He wore a gentle smile and held a black paper oil umbrella. His eyes sparkled with brightness, his face somehow familiar yet not.
It was the first time Xiaoniao felt something indescribable, akin to the day he married the Emperor. The man chuckled as Xiaoniao, younger and with a puzzled expression, simply stared at him. The scholar adjusted his umbrella, providing cover for Xiaoniao.
For the first time in a long while, amidst the intrigues of the court, the scholar found himself in the presence of someone who exuded innocence. For some unexplainable reason, he felt a strong desire to protect this innocence in a place that often full of devils.
"Your Majesty, please go back inside. The weather is going to get colder, and if you haven't noticed, the snow has already begun to fall," he said.
Upon hearing this, Xiaoniao softly reached his hand out, and indeed, a snowflake landed. Xiaoniao's eyes immediately brightened, and he clapped his hands happily before running around. The Scholar just watched him.
"I see, Your Majesty likes the snow," the Scholar remarked, tucking his left arm behind him while still holding the umbrella.
Xiaoniao nodded, closing his eyes to feel the soft, chilly wind. A smile adorned his face. "Yes, I do! And do you know who else does?" Xiaoniao asked. The Scholar raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure, who else could it be?" he inquired. Xiaoniao giggled upon hearing the Scholar's question, clasping his hands in front of his chest and grinning widely as he answered, "The Emperor!"
A moment of silence hung in the air as another gust of wind passed through them. Scholar Cheng Tianyu stared at Xiaoniao, his eyes slightly widened, and his lips forming a thin line. It was hard to discern if his reaction was one of shock or something else.
When he noticed his companion's silence, Xiaoniao peered at him from the corner of his eyes. Not long after, Tianyu laughed, as if he had discovered something interesting. "Well, that's something I did not expect... But I wonder how Your Majesty came across this magnificent information. As far as I know..." He coughed. "Forgive me, but as far as the rumors go, the Emperor dislikes his legal wife to the point of never visiting him."
As he said this, Xiaoniao's smile faded away, and he looked at the falling snowflakes longingly. "It's just an accident... I saw His Majesty one time, admiring the snow at White Flower Garden a year ago... I know I shouldn't have watched him, but that image of His Majesty is the most beautiful scene I've ever seen," Xiaoniao replied.
Tianyu fell silent for another moment, making Xiaoniao feel anxious. He approached Tianyu and gently tugged at his robe. The Scholar just stared at him, and Xiaoniao bowed his head in defeat.
"You won't tell him, will you? I don't want him to dislike me any further," he said in an almost whispered voice.
Tianyu didn't reply, but he patted Xiaoniao's head, silently conveying that Xiaoniao could trust him. Xiaoniao smiled widely as the two of them watched the snowflakes that night. They observed as the leaves of the undying Celestial Maple tree were covered in snow.
"By the way, Your Majesty, I'm Cheng Tianyu, but everyone calls me Scholar Cheng," Tianyu introduced himself. Xiaoniao simply smiled, saying, "You can just call me Xiaoniao. I don't have a last name, but that's fine!"
***
Ever since then, every night Tainyu would visit Xiaoniao. They would sit and talk or watch the maple tree become covered in snow while sipping tea and enjoying mooncakes that Tianyu brought. Other times, they would play in the snow or read poetry together, often at the request of Yangfan to help expand Xiaoniao's vocabulary.
During these moments, Xiaoniao learned a few things about Tainyu. He discovered that Tainyu was the first cousin of the current Emperor, as his mother was the late Emperor's younger sister. No one knew who Tainyu's biological father was, so the late Emperor had granted him the royal last name "Cheng."
Xiaoniao couldn't help but be amazed. It was no wonder that Emperor Ju Long and Tianyu somehow resembled each other, with the only notable difference being the color of their features. While Tianyu had snow-silvery white hair, Emperor Ju Long had inky black midnight hair. Their eyes bore a resemblance to each other, although Tianyu's eyes were more vibrant and warm.
Interestingly, Xiaoniao also noticed that Tianyu bore some resemblance to the deceased Prince Cheng Xuesong.
As the days passed, Xiaoniao's life in the palace became better and more content. The image of the Emperor began to fade in the back of his mind. Unbeknownst to them, a few months flew by, and spring arrived as the flowers began to blossom. However, Xiaoniao and Tianyu remained willfully ignorant, knowing that their growing feelings for each other would be a grave sin under the Emperor's watchful eye.
One day, Tianyu asked Xiaoniao if he ever wished to leave the confines of the palace walls and live in a secluded area. Xiaoniao did not deny his desire for freedom but chose to stay because for unknown reason he couldn't leave the Emperor alone.
Xiaoniao understood that fate had not been kind to him.
What he didn't anticipate was that the peaceful days of his life would come to an abrupt end. One night, when Tianyu came to visit as usual, everything seemed normal until Marshal Wu arrived with Prime Minister Dong, carrying a decree.
"Within the Emperor's law, Scholar Cheng, you will be punished for having an affair with the Empress," the eunuch read aloud. Marshal Wu signaled his men to apprehend Scholar Cheng, who remained surprisingly calm.
For the first time in Xiaoniao's life, desperation washed over him. He couldn't forgive himself if he lost someone dear to him due to his own negligence. He knew he had to take action to save Tianyu.
Xiaoniao hurriedly dropped to his knees, his eyes welling up with tears.
"Please! Allow me to see the Emperor, I beg you. Scholar Cheng Tianyu is not at fault; it's my fault for inviting him to join me! I take full responsibility," he pleaded as he kowtowed.
But his pleads were ignored.
The guards couldn't help but feel uncomfortable, witnessing an Empress beg someone of lower status. All of this turmoil over a man!
"Escort the Empress to the Emperor's chamber, as ordered by the Emperor himself. Ensure that the Empress cannot escape," commanded Marshal Wu. Prime Minister Dong followed him out.
Meanwhile, Lixin and Yangfan were held back by eunuchs and maids, while the guards forcibly removed Xiaoniao from the room.
As Xiaoniao was pulled away, he couldn't help but look back, his heart aching as he watched the guards drag Scholar Cheng away. Tianyu struggled, desperately trying to reach the distressed male Empress to comfort him.
Tears welled up in Xiaoniao's eyes.
Why did it always have to be him who suffered?
That stormy night marked the last time Xiaoniao ever saw the man he had grown to love in such a short span of time.
***
"Please wait for His Majesty, Your Majesty," the guard uttered as he guided Xiaoniao into the Emperor's chamber.
Despite being married, this was the first time Xiaoniao had ever set foot in this place.
In the past, he would have been elated to be here, but now, all he felt was exhaustion and pain. He wished he could just sleep and escape from all the torment he was enduring.
Xiaoniao settled into a corner, wrapping his arms around his knees. Worry consumed him; he had no idea what his life would become now. He closed his eyes, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.
Suddenly, the closed door swung open, revealing the stern-faced Emperor. He wore black robes with golden dragon embroidery and a purple inner robe. An emperor's hairpin adorned his head, with a golden dragon intricately carved on it, and it eyes were azure gems.
The Emperor's face contorted in anger when he laid eyes on the trembling Xiaoniao, clad only in his lime green inner robe, with messy hair and no shoes. Xiaoniao's eyes were red from crying.
The Emperor seized Xiaoniao's arms, causing him to hiss in pain. He glared at the Emperor, who chuckled and then roughly threw the distressed male Empress onto the dragon canopy bed.
"How dare you play tricks on me with my own relatives right under my nose? Are you so lonely and desperate that you latch onto any man you see? First, the imperial guard, and now my cousin? Outrageous!" the Emperor exclaimed as he squeezed Xiaoniao's face. The poor man whimpered in pain and chose to remain silent, knowing that the Emperor would never listen. He avoided making eye contact, further infuriating the Emperor. He slapped Xiaoniao hard before climbing on top of him, his purple eyes radiating intense anger. Straddling Xiaoniao, he ripped open his robe.
"Is this what you want? Is it? Fine, then. Your husband will give it to you!" the Emperor declared as a single tear slid down Xiaoniao's cheek.
That night, the Emperor took Xiaoniao's chastity and repeatedly trampled it.
***
.The following morning, when Xiaoniao awoke, he found himself in the Cold Palace. His body was covered in purplish marks and wounds.
At that moment, Xiaoniao felt utterly broken. Everything seemed pointless, and he had lost the will to go on. His son, his brother, and now he feared he might lose the last person who he love dearly.
Suddenly, a eunuch arrived, delivering a letter from Scholar Cheng.
In the letter, Scholar Cheng explained that the Emperor had been aware of their secret meetings for a long time. The time when Tianyu asked him about running away was, in reality, a plea for Xiaoniao to make a choice.
Tianyu had struck a deal with the Emperor. If Xiaoniao chose to leave the palace, the Emperor would grant their wish and allow them to depart. However, if Xiaoniao chose to stay, Tianyu would willingly sacrifice his life and shoulder all the blame.
Regrettably, Xiaoniao had chosen to remain.
That night, the Emperor personally came over and brought him food, but Xiaoniao refused to eat. The Emperor informed him that he would return to his own palace the following day, as Scholar Cheng was to be executed, and Xiaoniao was now free from the charges of the sin he had committed. Scholar Cheng had shouldered all the blame.
Xiaoniao gazed into the Emperor's eyes and questioned, "Your Majesty, if you dislike me so much, why do you bother keeping me around? Why not just let me join him in the afterlife?"
The Emperor remained silent. Xiaoniao sighed and turned away, rubbing his arms for warmth while he's staring somewhere far away
"Your Majesty, you are cruel is it a sin to love someone? Why won't you allow me to be with him in the afterlife?" Xiaoniao asked, his words reflecting his inner turmoil. The Emperor's face remained impassive as he tightly gripped Xiaoniao's arms and responded, "Cruel? I'm merely giving you your own punishment. You chose me, so you will remain with me until your last breath!."
Xiaoniao gazed at him with a blank expression and uttered, "The only choice I regret making."
Hearing this, the Emperor sneered and approached Xiaoniao's ear, whispering, "A murderer like yourself doesn't deserve to be loved. Remember this, you're the one who ended the life of the person you claimed to love."
Following that conversation, Xiaoniao and the Emperor never saw each other again until the day Xiaoniao passed away.
***
as Xiaoniao slowly opened his eyes, he found himself inside the cozy confines of his room within their modest cabin. The warm, golden glow of a candle on the ceiling greeted his awakening. He blinked a few times, still feeling the remnants of the vivid dream that had troubled his slumber. He sat up, gently massaging his forehead.
"It's all just a dream, thankfully," he thought to himself.
***
Coming up next: The Man in Purple.
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*Note: This is a raw, unedited chapter.
[Thank you for 5000+ reads! I did not expect this book to go this far!]