"I wonder how 51 is holding up," LiAi said as she paced the main hall of the White Lotus Hall.
The sisters have been itching since morning to hear from their brother, but nothing so far. Did LiangLin kill the sorcerer or not? Find a cure to help YaYun? Or was he enjoying the marriage to XueYa?
"You don't think he gave in to that sorcerer?" LiAi suddenly asked, startling LiYue, who was dozing off over the table.
"Huh, what? What happened?" LiYue yawned, fanning herself to keep herself awake.
Her sisters had been too distraught during the night to sleep, and she couldn't sleep either with them roaming around the house like distraught hens.
"We are wondering whether LiangLin stabbed the sorcerer or got stabbed himself," LiChun grumbled from the seat across LiYue. Seeing LiYue's unfaced expression, LiChun's lips thinned. "You seem to be fine with him marrying that sorcerer, sis."
"Er, um..."
Wait, she wasn't supposed to be fine with it? LiYue sat up straighter, tapping the fan on her nose thoughtfully. But baby LiangLin seemed to want to marry XueYa. He had enjoyed climbing the stairs in XueYa's arms. The pleased little smile and adoring eyes were hard to miss.
She didn't think it was appropriate to stop LiangLin if their brother wanted this union. It was his snake and his life, and now that LiangLin got the bracelet back, maybe XueYa could return the snake after the marriage.
The most important thing to LiYue was that LiangLin was happy, and XueYa treated him well. She was only here to support her brother and help him out whenever he needed it. Maybe mince XueYa up like a piece of meat if he dared make LiangLin cry.
the marriage was fine, right? Seeing her sisters expression, LiYue wasn't so sure anymore.
Oh shit, did LiYue mess up?
"We have prepared him with our gifts. There shouldn't be an issue." LiBai reminded them, and LiYue stiffened slightly.
"Yeah, I gave him that knife for self-defence."
"I gave him something to shove up that sorcerer's ass if he tried anything!"
"I gifted him a torturing method to use on that sorcerer. Maybe we will get to wake YaYun and help QingYu sooner."
All eyes fell on the quiet, pale LiYue, who was hiding half her face behind her fan.
"LiYue?" LiBai said, her tone low, and LiYue fidgeted in her chair, itching to run away.
"Um, yes?" LiYue evaded the curious gazes, wishing she could be anywhere else but here.
"Sis," LiAi crept closer, an ominous air pulsating over the room.
LiYue swallowed down her nerves. "W-what is it?"
"What did you give LiangLin as a wedding gift?"
"Um, I-"
"LiYue-"
"Sis, you gave him a weapon, didn't you?" LiChun said, her eyes thinning.
"Er," LiYue fanned herself as she felt the heat climbing up her cheeks. "I'm sure if LiangLin uses it wisely, he could turn it into a weapon against his hus- I mean - sorcerer."
"..."
"LiYue, what did you give him?" LiBai's tone was warning, and LiYue feebly tried to hide behind her fan.
"Sis..."
"I... gave him two vials of lubricant oil."
"..."
"How the hell is that a weapon?!"
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
XueYa woke up to a pounding headache. A low groan escaped his dry throat as he tried to move his aching body, but he was stuck. Something was lying over his left arm, curling into his body like a kitten seeking warmth.
With much willpower, XueYa cracked his eyes open and looked at what was blocking his blood from circulating to his fingers.
Without really knowing what had happened during the night, a smile formed on XueYa's lips as he watched LiangLin's peaceful sleeping visage.
Long lashes feathered over the flushed skin, pouty lips were curled into a little pleased smile. XueYa had the urge to lean in, have a little taste of those subtle lips, but he didn't want to break the moment either.
XueYa had never seen LiangLin so peaceful, so vulnerable. There wasn't a hint of defiance, only pleasant calmness.
Then he realised that both of them were stripped down to their undergarments. Their feet entangled together as LiangLin let his head rest over XueYa's shoulder.
Wait.
XueYa felt his headache subside as a sense of excitement entered his consciousness. Did they do it? Did he tap that ass? Why didn't he remember anything? How could he not remember such a thing?!
Calm. XueYa took in a deep breath to calm his racing mind. He had to think about this logically.
The night before, Yu Zhong had dragged him to drink. Knowing full well he couldn't get drunk with wine alone, he had downed a pill that lowered his inhibitions. Just so he could get drunk faster and return to LiangLin. But the wine had been too strong. It had knocked him out harder than intended.
Probably the sisters messing with the wine, XueYa grimaced as he enveloped his arms around LiangLin, placing a kiss on his hair.
XueYa never got so drunk that he couldn't remember things he had done. But this time, he was so out of it; he doubted he could do anything to LiangLin. There was also this little thought nagging at him, telling him he would be on his way to hell if he tried to force himself on LiangLin in his drunken state.
It was better this way, XueYa decided, drawing circles over LiangLin's back with his fingertips. He wanted to remember everything they experienced together, no drunken regrets.
XueYa's smile turned mischievous as he let his hand draw a line over the curve of the soft, slim waist before he let his palm rest over the firm mound. There was nothing wrong with a little touching and caressing now that they were married. XueYa would make sure LiangLin would grow to crave his touch.
He gave the perky cheek a little squeeze. The firm flesh made XueYa's blood thump in his veins. Every part of his bride was perfect. It was just made for-
"What. Are. You. Doing?" LiangLin's eyes fluttered open, the murder clear in his red-tinted irises.
XueYa smiled at him despite knowing he was dead meat.
"I'm making sure my love isn't sore from staying in one position too long. A little massage should ease all tenseness-"
XueYa's words cut away as something silver with ragged edges pressed under his chin. LiangLin wasn't kidding around.
XueYa swallowed, as he realised his beautiful bride was aiming for the kill. Where did he even pull the knife from?!
"You have a death wish, don't you, husband?"
"But,my love-"
"If you don't take your busy hands off now, I will press this knife somewhere else and there won't be any little sorcerers rolling around in the future!"
"Take it out..."
"Just a little more, beautiful."
"Ah, hurts! I said, take it out!"
"I told you, this is a part of being married to me."
"I hate it! Take it out!"
XueYa let out a sigh as he pulled away, taking the golden hairpin with him.
LiangLin was glaring at him, his lips pulled into a pout. XueYa just wanted to kiss them swollen but held back. He wanted to live for another day.
Since morning, LiangLin had threatened to crush, slice and stab his family jewels. After rolling around in bed for a short while, XueYa emerged with a flaring cheek. LiangLin had smacked him across the face for all the sweet words and failed attempts at consummating their marriage.
It was LiangLin's fault for mentioning little sorcerers rolling around. XueYa just wanted to make this possibility into a reality. He still didn't know if snake gods could conceive, but he was willing to try and find out.
What better way to get those little sorcerers than to stay in bed and go at it like rabbits until LiangLin was pregnant with their child?
Or maybe not - yet. LiangLin looked like he wanted to take a bite from XueYa. He would have to coax LiangLin to accept him with time.
XueYa smiled at his pretty lover. He had carefully placed each hairpin over LiangLin's hair, making sure no one looked as beautiful as his little snake. It had taken him longer than expected, but LiangLin was like a painting brought to life. He could hardly tear his eyes away.
LiangLin wasn't in such a jolly mood as XueYa. He had been sitting there stiffly for hours now, letting XueYa decorate him. Was this how an emperor spent their time? Wasn't there nation affairs he should be looking into?
His displeased frown must have alerted XueYa, as the sorcerer brought a reflector over, letting LiangLin gaze upon himself. LiangLin had to admit he looked beautiful, with his hair cascading down his back, gold flowers and butterflies decorating his hair. But this was a waste of time! And his neck was near breaking under all this weight.
Who said an empress had it easy? One wrong move and they would break their necks, if not their backs, from all the jewellery they had to carry around daily.
"My love is the most beautiful."
LiangLin side-eyed the smiling XueYa over the edge of the reflector. He and his damn sweet words! Gah, LiangLin couldn't stop himself from blushing though. He liked that XueYa admired his beauty and put up with his kill threats. He was sure most would have run for the hills by now.
Still, he would not give in now!
XueYa was only so patient with him because he was after his immortality. He must have learned that once he got LiangLin to fall for him and… and… papapa… LiangLin would be done for. Snake shifters mated for life. He couldn't just give in to XueYa that easily.
He had to get rid of XueYa, at least for a few hours. The more they were together, the more he forgot why he even agreed to this marriage. Find out what XueYa is trying and how to wake up YaYun.
"Don't you have emperor duties?" LiangLin grumbled, turning his body away from facing XueYa.
"... They can wait. I just married," XueYa said, as he reached over, caressing LiangLin's cheek, trying to coax the snake to look his way. "It is normal for me to want to stay by my one and only all the time."
"Are you doing this on purpose?"
"What do you mean?" XueYa didn't understand what LiangLin was referring to.
XueYa hadn't lied, it was normal for newlyweds to want to be together at all times, and he couldn't care less for the nation's affairs. They were YaYun's job, not his. He was here for entirely different reasons, to marry LiangLin and to get rid of some pesky people.
But mostly, he wanted to pin LiangLin down and make some sweet loving.
"Are you trying to ruin YaYun's name? Make his people hate him?" LiangLin eyed XueYa with suspicion.
"..." XueYa leaned back, taking leverage from the table. He felt the jab. How could his love think of him this way? Admittedly, he hadn't been admirable in his actions so far, but to go as far as to tarnish his own twin's name? Never.
"Am I that evil in your opinion?"
"I-I didn't say that." LiangLin blinked, his cheeks flared as he turned away, trying to hide his fluster. "You just... don't seem to take your role as the emperor seriously. YaYun worked hard every day, barely sleeping. He even worked throughout the night, just to see Qing- um - see me."
Ah, it irritated XueYa how LiangLin kept praising and talking about YaYun. He was the husband here. Why was his beloved gushing about another man to him? Even if YaYun was his twin, XueYa wasn't keen on sharing LiangLin with anyone, the least with his brother.
A good emperor? Was that what LiangLin wanted him to be? It wasn't like XueYa couldn't be a good one if he wanted to. He was sure he would excel in it if he tried.
"Would it make you happy?"
LiangLin stole a glance at XueYa. The sorcerer's brows had furrowed thoughtfully, his eyes studying LiangLin's every movement and expression. It was the first time LiangLin ever saw XueYa so serious.
Somehow, LiangLin's heart sped up at the sight, the flush creeping over his neck and cheeks. So, XueYa could be serious when he wanted to. Gah, he was too handsome when all serious. LiangLin had to turn his gaze away to hide his feelings.
"It has nothing to do with me. You should do it for the country and YaYun. You already stole his place as the emperor. The least you can do is rule over the nation properly."
"Would it make you proud if I am a good emperor?"
"I-" What kind of question was that? Of course, LiangLin would be proud of his husband if he ran the country like a good and kind emperor. "That is your duty. It was YaYun's duty too."
Again talking about YaYun, XueYa's brow ticked irritably. But he put on a smile while trying to push the unsettling feeling aside. If he worked hard enough, LiangLin would eventually open his heart to him and forget about YaYun.
Be a good emperor? Fine, then. This country was going to have an emperor that feared nothing - well, except for LiangLin.
XueYa suddenly stood up, heading for the door. The officials should be in their meeting room still at this hour. He would catch them just in time.
"Wait, where are you going?" LiangLin asked in surprise.
"Be a good emperor, so my love can be proud of marrying me." With that, XueYa disappeared out of the door.
XueYa is an obedient husband. Once a command has been given, he will do it... his way, of course. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)