Tian Wu looked at the hand grasping his robe and his body started to flush in embarrassment and shyness. His face all the way to his ears and his neck turned light pink. It was obvious to everyone that even glanced at him, but the prince before him was too distracted to see what was literally right in front of him. The maidservants and eunuchs weren't allowed into Song Huang's private quarters so they couldn't see Tian Wu's reaction, however it would be nothing new. They had so frequently witnessed Tian Wu's shy gazes and hidden longing whenever he peeked at him. Though homosexuality was for the most part scorned in the country, the desperation and cluelessness that surrounded these two made everyone feel pity. Tian Wu was often the subject of many sympathetic glances. Regardless of who Tian Wu loved it was their first time seeing someone (Song Huang) so blind towards someone he had grown up with.
Song Huang continued ranting while his hand didn't release Tian Wu's robe. Tian Wu covered Song Huang's hand with his own and squeezed it with comfort and solidarity. Song Huang realized that he had been gripping Tian Wu and immediately snatched his hand back as if he was scalded. Tian Wu disguised his bitterness and smiled as though nothing occurred. Recognizing that Song Huang wanted to feel superior and authoritative he changed the way he was about to address his supposed childhood friend. "Your Highness, don't worry we shall think of something soon. Rest assured you are the most qualified for the throne." Tian Wu had repeated this so many times that it came automatically as if reading off a script. As always Song Huang looked mollified but he remained tense. "You have said you will come up with something so many times. Imperial Father has sent Feixiang to the border as the general! The people will all recognize his authority and deeds! Where will that leave me? Why can't Imperial Father see that I am more qualified?" Tian Wu shook his head internally. Because you aren't more qualified. You are like a child, easily influenced. Do you know how many times I have had to secretly protect you from schemes and people with bad intentions? You don't even realize that your own mother is using you. However Tian Wu instead replied, "You are indeed more qualified, you are a hidden gem and people haven't recognized your true worth yet."
While Song Huang was being pacified, Tian Yi, Feixiang and the army had been marching for half a day. They called for a temporary halt outside of a slightly less prosperous city compared to the capital. It would take an average individual around 2 days and a half by carriage to reach the capital from the city, so the army had made pretty good time. They estimated that they would reach the border on the 4th day, though it was a bit slower than they hoped for. The army set up camp 150 miles away from the city, they wanted to keep a slight distance away from the common citizens. Feixiang and Tian Yi knew that to keep up morale they had to let these soldiers enjoy themselves a little bit before reaching the frontlines so they set up a schedule for soldiers to spend time in the city in rotation. As a troupe headed to the city, the rest would stay back and stand guard until everyone had their turn. Each troupe wouldn't get much time in the city but a little was better than nothing.
Feixiang and Tian Yi joined the last troupe heading to the city, leaving Feixiang's second in command in charge. When Feixiang and Tian Yi rode into the city it was slightly after noon. People were walking around the busy market stalls that sold everything from ornaments to sticky candy and foods. Tian Yi had never seen such a spectacle and his eyes were wide open trying to take everything in at once. Feixiang chuckled at Tian Yi's appearance and decided to take him for a stroll through the market. They left their horses at a trusted outpost that specifically cared for army horses. Feixiang and Tian Yi walked through the entire market occasionally buying a few snacks to eat when they got hungry. They walked a theatrical performance for avidly interested children, but too soon it was time to return. As they walked back towards the outpost a carriage cut through the road, pushing everyone to make way. One of the carriage passenger's servants took the lead and yelled for everyone to get out of the way. He pushed aside a few stragglers that were too slow in moving. Feixiang was full of dissatisfaction but before he could take action he heard another soldier in the crowd urgently call for him. He grabbed Tian Yi and loped by the carriage's window.
The carriage curtain was pulled aside as a beautiful woman looked out. She caught sight of the Crown Prince and the man beside him, and looked slightly surprised and confused. When she saw the Crown Prince she was deeply attracted to his handsome looks and that air of authority that surrounded him. She believed that he was made for her, she was the only one who could match him and 'tame' him. She had heard about his previous rakish ways and was confident that once he became her man she could rein him in and reform him. However what confused her was the man beside him. Why was her elder brother with the prince? Especially in his original male form, wasn't he supposed to be charading as the Crown Prince's concubine? Tian Mei lost sight of them in the crowd and the carriage continued forward. Her face smoothed over thoughtfully and she decided to ask her brother once she returned to the capital in 3 days.
When Feixiang caught up with the soldier that called out to him, he heard that a few of the soldiers got drunk and started a brawl. The soldiers had already been dragged to the outpost and they were in a drunk stupor. Feixiang's face turned absolutely livid and the soldier who reported was slightly quivering in fear. Feixiang made the soldier guide him to the location of the soldiers and Tian Yi followed closely behind him. When Feixiang saw the soldiers for himself, his face darkened even further. He wasn't kind when he dumped a bucket of water on their heads. Feeling like that was too merciful he personally dragged the drunk soldiers and dunked their heads into the horse's water trough. He kept their heads under until they were choking and scrabbled at the wood trying to pull themselves out.
When he released them, they flopped backwards onto their backs and tried to suck in enough air to breathe. They looked like drowned rats, it wasn't pretty. Tian Yi stood behind Feixiang looking completely unfazed by his man's actions. Ni Ni actually enjoyed watching the torture. She was popping pieces of popcorn into her mouth while keeping her eyes glued to the scene as if she didn't want to miss even a single moment.
[Hey Host, your man has some pretty fun ideas. If only I could chat with him a bit, we could exchange some pointers. I have a few interesting tricks that I think he would love to try out some time!]
Ni Ni...What are you talking about? What tricks? What pointers?
[...jokes...lol, I was making up some random shit, Oh yeah by the way the female lead was at the city!]
Oh Tian Mei? What did she do?
Mwahahaha diversion successful! [She saw you and your man passing by. It was the first time she ever saw a man as good looking as your hubby so she started perving out. She's getting possessive, so you better release your claws honey! There's about to be a cat fight! Oh yeah and she realized that you're with Hubby in your man guise so she's hella confused. She's planning on asking Tian Wu about what's going on.]
K.
[I swear you will be the death of me one day! K? That's it? Just in case you forgot you still have a mission. MISSION, got it? You already won the concubine selection and you found a lover but it's not over. You still need to officially leave the Tian family, as is get that Tian off your name. You need to destroy the Tian Family and you need to live 'safely' with your hubby! GOT THAT?!?!?! You aren't even HALF done! (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻ ]
K.
[...] I'm done
Feixiang looks curiously at Tian Yi, he's out of it again. "What are you always thinking about?" Tian Yi snaps out of it and gives Feixiang a faint smile. "Nothing" Feixiang is so dazzled by the smile that he doesn't follow up on his question.
Ni Ni falls on the ground in a fake faint. Did Host just learn a diversion tactic? Is my life a lie?
The sky was starting to darken so the bedraggled soldiers were forced onto their horses and led back to camp. The soldiers were already regretting their life choices. If that was how Feixiang woke them up, how was he going to punish them? Tian Yi retired early to his tent to get an early rest, but the whole camp could hear howls and shrieks of misery from behind Feixiang's tent. By the time Feixiang went to bed, he looked happy and satisfied, and he didn't even glance behind him. A few soldiers crawled back towards their own tent after their 'punishment'. They would never drink alcohol again, they wouldn't never want to face that hell torture ever again in their entire lifetime. It was too horrific to put into words. Let's just say, Ni Ni would be proud. The military camp was quiet again as the soldiers slept while sentries were on guard.
Three days later Tian Mei reached the capital, but the entire journey was filled with thoughts of that handsome man. She couldn't get his face out of her mind or her dreams. The first thing she did was head out to see Tian Wu. She knew that Tian Wu would be at the palace because he would never leave Prince Huang's side unless he had to. She had known about his disgusting love for years but she never said anything. There might come a day when that information would be useful to her. Out of all the people Tian Wu probably needed reforming the most, that disgusting love should be forgotten. But it's useful for now, so she won't say anything. She found Tian Wu just like she thought she would, outside of Prince Huang's palace.
He was heading towards the palace, clearing going in to see the Prince, but Tian Mei intercepted him. "Brother! I've missed you!" Tian Mei let out a sweet smile that would have captivated many but unbeknownst to her, Tian Wu had seen through her facade a long time ago. "Mei! I thought you were out of the capital! It's been so long! Why have you come to see this unworthy brother of yours?" Tian Mei lightly patted Tian Wu's shoulder with a shy smile. "What are you saying? Why can't I visit my little brother? I also wanted to ask you about Older brother Yi. I saw him with the Crown Prince heading out with their soldiers! What's going on? Isn't he supposed to be the Crown Prince's concubine?" Tian Mei tried to look as if she were innocently curious but she clearly had her ears pricked, listening for any special information. "Mei, was it really Older brother that you saw? Are you certain?" Tian Mei searched Tian Wu's eyes for any hidden meaning but just saw a genuinely questioning gaze. "Yes, I'm certain it was him."
Tian Wu's expression didn't change in the slightest as he nodded at Tian Mei. "I see, I didn't know about that. I'm sorry Mei, I don't have any information about that." He looked truly apologetic so Tian Mei could only leave unwillingly after saying a few more honeyed words. Tian Wu ruminated over the information Tian Mei gave him as he walked towards Song Huang's residence. He sneered at Tian Mei's fake care, he had always known that she was the one who incited Father to isolate Tian Yi. She was jealous of his beauty and his tranquil personality that drew people in. He knew that she was the one who ratted him out whenever he went to secretly play with Tian Yi. He had seen through her facade for years, but what could he do? She was the beloved child that was showered with love in the family. Even though he was important as the 'only' recognized son of the Tian family, she had the whole family wrapped around her finger. For years he had to pretend to be her dog just to survive and Song Huang was his only reprieve. Now even Song Huang's presence wasn't giving him much happiness. Everywhere he only had purpose as something to be used and Tian Wu was tired. He was weary of the world but he just lived on without purpose. He clung onto Song Huang on the off chance that his love would be reciprocated but it was like everything was slipping through his fingers. How much longer could he last? How much longer could he live without living?
Tian Wu walked into Song Huang's personal chambers and at that moment sunlight poured through the window lighting up Song Huang's face. Everyone said that the Crown Prince was the most handsome man, but for Tian Wu he had never seen a man more beautiful than Song Huang. When everything was quiet and Song Huang was at peace, there was no other image that could shake his soul. The image was broken when Song Huang looked up at him and his expression morphed into one of expectation and impatience. Tian Wi pasted on a smile and placed the platter he had been carrying onto the table in front of Song Huang. "I brought you your favorite snack, I hope you can relax a little." Song Huang didn't even look at the platter and motioned for Tian Wu to sit. "Have you thought of a good idea yet?" Tian Wu looked at the platter he had spent so long to prepare, he didn't let anyone else touch anything in case they tried to tamper with it. He looked up at Song Huang and ignored the platter, he was used to this. "Sire I have received some information that may be useful to us. My brother Tian Yi is travelling with the army and this could only mean two things. Either the Crown Prince is so enamoured with my brother that he can't bear to leave him behind, or Tian Yi has some special significance we do not know of." Song Huang seriously listened to his words and when it came to the part about his brother potentially being enamoured with Tian Yi his face contorted in disgust. "Ugh homosexuals! Disgusting!"
Tian Wu looked down at his fingers, disguising the fleeting flash of pain in his eyes. "Your Highness I believe that it might be the latter. The Emperor stated that Tian Yi was a woman even after he was supposedly inspected, there must be something more involved. If we can find out what it is, we might be able to use it in our favor." Song Huang heartily patted Tian Wu's shoulder, "You've finally come up with a good idea! Tian Wu we are heading to the frontlines, go prepare." Tian Wu stood at once and bowed. "Yes Sire". When he reached the entrance he momentarily looked back. He saw Song Huang's determined eyes as they nakedly revealed his thirst for power, and Tian Wu's eyes moved down to the forgotten platter cooling on the table. He turned back and resolutely walked out of the palace.
He was tired.