A/N: Oof.... still sick after so long. These pills make me look like a drug addict... Persevering to live on! Thank you for voting, commenting, and reading my lovelies~ (even if you wanted to kill me yesterday... I still love you. ヽ(；▽；) ♡)
An oppressive wave rippled into the room and everyone's breathing ceased. Some sat in fear as the others were too stumped for words at what they saw at the door. There was a line of soldiers at the door with a grand figure stood right behind them. The man in the black and yellow dragon had a very scary expression, it made everyone beside one person in the room shake in fear. Maybe it was finally time for them to pay Old Lady Meng a visit and drink tea with her.
The hand that was on Xu XiuLan's waist stilled. One of the more intelligent and quick witted guest broke out of his shocked state. He kowtowed, "May the Emperor live and reign for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand of ten thousand years!"
Hearing them address the emperor, everyone followed through. They all knelt and pressed their forehead against the ground, ""May the Emperor live and reign for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand of ten thousand years.""
Their voices ranged loud and clear, not even the slightest waver could be found in their voices. Tu HuaLi, "We order everyone but the courtesans to leave."
Like rats they scurried away without even thinking. All that was left behind were the courtesans. They all huddled together an stared down at the ground nervously. Many of the courtesans inside of the room were dumbfounded to why someone of his stature would come to their humble abode. It was beneath him to do so.
Xu XiuLan frowned. Things had really sidetracked, wasn't the emperor supposed to go investigate Zuo NaLi's family and bring them down? Did Wu QingJue fail to deliver the message? Xu XiuLan couldn't tell who was there, only that the emperor brought many men along with him. Now begged the real question of why was he even there? To bring home a lover? Someone to warm his bed? Xu XiuLan was sure there was no reason for the emperor to come after him or to the brothel. While he was going over the many possibilities, he had forgotten one thing.
Xu XiuLan had placed what Bao Bao had warned him about to the back of his mind. To expect the unexpected, the plot and everything else was going out of order. No one was following script anymore and maybe not having to struggle had made Xu XiuLan too arrogant. Just because in the previous worlds it had been easy to manipulate others due to the kind of vessel he received or the golden thigh he held onto. This time was different, he was the villain.
But one that could only be borne out from death and deception of his beloved one. As of now, he was nothing more than a mere cannon fodder that could be eliminated. There was no golden thighs that he could hug onto, his lover was nowhere to be seen and he couldn't just leave to find them. Adding on that he was still suffering from a grievous wound to his soul, Xu XiuLan had been greatly mistaken.
At the banquet he could not see the expression on either one of Tu HuaLi's or Tu HeJian's face. So, he did not know that he had sealed his fate the moment he arrived through those gates.
With the others, Xu XiuLan had his lowered and stayed perfectly still. Tu HuaLi had eyes trained on only one person. He could not hold back his feelings anymore. In one deft motion, he walked and stood in front of them. Tu HuaLi ordered, "Everyone but him, leave Us."
Xu XiuLan frowned at the words. Though he didn't know why, he somehow felt the words were directed at him. Was he going to die here? Not wanting to stick out, he remained seated with the others. A minute passed by but still no one made any movements. Tu HuaLi, "Do you need Us to see you out?"
His voice was very cold and poignant like a demon out of hell. No words were needed after. The soldiers who were standing by weren't only for show of numbers or power. Anyone who didn't move was dragged forcibly out by the soldiers, and they were also given twenty lashes as punishment. Through the mix of chaos, Xu XiuLan clenched his fists as he listened. He couldn't see what was going on and he needed Bao Bao to become his eyes.
Xu XiuLan called him back as he stood up to leave with everyone else.
<Bao Bao, come back. I need you here.>
---
Bao Bao had been in the jailhouse looking at the disheveled appearance of Zuo NaLi. He was no longer the pristine youth that garnered envious looks wherever he went. It was like comparing a rock to that of a diamond. He was chained up against the wall, marred in marks all over his pale skin, his clothes were soaked in blood and some parts stuck onto his skin, his hair was messy as if a bird could make a nest in it, his lips were dry and cracky, and his eyes were red and bloodshot.
In less than a day, he had truly fallen from grace. Bao Bao just clicked his tongue when he received a message from his host. He didn't hesitate and left the cell.
<Host, what's wrong?>
<...>
He waited for a reply but heard nothing, only the sounds of his own thoughts were heard. His eyebrows furrowed. What had happen? Was he alright? His heart raced with anxiety. He feared that Xu XiuLan had been caught in something dangerous as he's never called for him before.
---
Back at the brothel, before Xu XiuLan could even manage to walk past Tu HuaLi he was stopped. Tu HuaLi gripped onto his wrist and pulled. The momentum made Xu XiuLan slammed into his chest. Tu HuaLi's arms pressed him closer, like steel bars caging him in. A deep and magnetic voice sounded by his ear, "Where do you think you're going?"
Xu XiuLan's voice trembled, "Your benevolence... This servant-"
He tried to drop onto his knees but was stopped. They pressed their lips harshly against his. Xu XiuLan could feel the excruciating desire roar from the kiss, it was like a starved beast wanting to be freed. Tu HuaLi's eyes darkened with intense emotions. For so long now, he's search all over for him. Many times he felt that he was at the end of his rope, longing for someone that may have long vanished. He knew it better than anyone that the contract was only a temporary thing, but there was always that glimmer of hope when he looked at their son and the ring they exchanged during their vows.
It brought out both sadness and happiness at the same time. What hurt him the most was the disappointment when they would pass away in that vessel, hope that he had was paralyzing to him at times.
He had drowned in his own thoughts for so long now that he became crazed. No matter what, he would chain this person to his side.