AN:I know that I have been gone for a long time again. But here I am. Happy read. Also, please don't be so stinky about leaving a vote on the chapters👉🏻👈🏻

Yiheng came back to the bedroom after making sure that Yeye was dozing soundly beside Xu Ying. He stood by the door of the room and calmly gazed at the sleeping figure on the bed. Bai Yuan's back was slowly rising and falling. Yiheng leaned by the door frame and suddenly the memories from his wedding night came floating to him.

Two years ago

"Queen Mother, you wanted to see me?" Yiheng, the young Emperor who just had his coronation ceremony then bowed to the reigning Queen Dowager, Qian Shiyu.

"Come here, son. Have some freshly brewed tea." Queen Dowager was having a small tea break in her imperial garden with her maids companying her.

"Thank you, Queen Mother," Yiheng replied as one of the maids passed him a cup of freshly brewed chrysanthemum tea.

Queen Dowager gestured to a maid and ordered her to bring her something while Yiheng went ahead to taste the tea. Soon the maid came back by her side and passed her a big scroll. Queen Dowager gently took it in her hands and carefully kept it on her lap.

She cleared her throat slightly and proceeded, "Yiheng, Queen Mother has always treated and loved you more than Prince Xiyi, you know?"

Yiheng paused in his drink, "I know that very well, Queen Mother. This son has never in his life dared to question his Queen Mother's love and care for him. What I am today is all because of you. After Mother passed away, it was you who raised me and never hated for not giving my younger brother Xiyi the throne." Yiheng's words carried his sincerity and Queen Dowger knew it. She replied with a warm smile, "You know better how playful that kid is, you're the most eligible one out of my all heirs. I'm more than happy that I could see you ascend to your deserved throne before I too join sister Mian and the late Emperor up in heaven." Queen Dowager had unshed tears in her eyes, remembering how her loved ones passed away so quickly, leaving her behind.

Yiheng pursed his lips in pain, put down the cup, and spoke in a sorrow mixed voice, "Queen Mother, please don't ever say like that, I have no one except you, Xiyi, and Mo-er. So please-" he closed his eyes as his words got stuck in his throat.

Queen Dowager sucked in a sharp breath and exhaled, "Foolish son of mine, you're just like your father, emotional and sensitive about family. I have a really important matter to discuss."

"I'm always free for you."

"You won't be from now on."

"W-what do you mean?" Yiheng slightly chuckled in the hope to lighten the heaviness in the air.

Queen Dowager gave him a soft smile and finally passed the scroll to him, "See yourself."

Yiheng took the scroll and opened it carefully. As soon as the scroll was undone fully, his eyes dilated in surprise.

He asked in a confused at same time shy tone, without looking at the Queen Dowger, "I-i don't understand. Why are you showing me this?"

Queen Dowager picked up her cup and took a sip of her tea, "What do you think?"

"T-this is......one of the most spectacular paintings....I have ever seen...." Yiheng couldn't retain his eyes off the portrait of a youthful young man that was painted on the scroll. The youth had long, silky black hair flowing down his back, loose robes drifting negligibly because of what seemed to be a night breeze, a relaxed slender body sitting on the window frame, a bottle of wine in his hand, looking at the bright moon with loneliness in his azure eyes as if trying to busk in the dim light of solitariness with the moon herself.

Queen Dowager cleared her throat again before speaking, "You don't remember him?"

"I know the person in this picture?"

"He's General Bai's son, Bai Yuan. I thought you have met him before."

"I wonder....he was really small last time I met him," unknowingly Yiheng's finger brushed over the painting, "He's grown a lot."

"I agree. I found this painting in your father's study, you must remember how much he loved to paint. Even in his sick times, he would go running to spend time with the General."

"Yes, I remember. They were very good friends. The General treated me like his son."

"And hopefully he'd treat you like a Son in law soon too."

"I'd love that- wait what?" Yiheng finally turned to look at Queen Dowager. He looked as if Zeus himself struck him with his thunderbolts, flushed all over. Queen Dowager got up from her seat and came behind to pat his stiff shoulders, "Son, every Emperor needs an Empress. You too will need one. But seeing the rising pressure from the court people and I'm also getting older, I think you should consider this marriage for a good reason."

Yiheng couldn't seem to find words to reject her. Taking the chance she continued, "Don't get me wrong, I know that Minister Chen wanted his daughter to be your first consort, but I'll be blunt, I don't like that foxy father-daughter at all. Oh, did you have someone in your mind?"

"N-no, not that."

"I was thinking the same, how could you get time to think about dating someone when you were always so busy with studying, training, and learning to govern the Empire!"

"....."

"Bai Yuan would be a very good consort, I can guarantee. You know better that I'm very straightforward about my thoughts,"

Queen Dowager continued as she gently caressed Yiheng's head, her eyes glistening from trying to hold her tears back, "After sister Mian left, I was really fearful, thinking that my love won't be enough to fill the void in Mo-er and your hearts."

Yiheng softly squeezed her hands to calm her down, "Queen Mother-"

"Just like you, Xiao Bai also lost his mother too early, I am 110% sure, that over-loyal father of his chose to serve the empire, leaving that poor child to grow up in loneliness. I really wish, with this marriage, two incomplete soul gets a chance to find their other halves and lead a happy life."

Yiheng gaped down at his feet, pushing all his tears strongly inside him, and replied, "I understand. I'll do whatever you want me to do. I'll try my best to be his better half and give him everything he wanted."

Queen Dowager touched Yiheng's face, and finally, a fat droplet rolled down her cheek, "I knew it, my son was raised well. I'll take care of all the formalities."

Yiheng nodded in assertion, however, when Queen Dowger was leaving with her maids he suddenly remembered something and asked, "Um- Queen Mother, is it possible to meet him before the wedding ceremony?"

Queen Dowager didn't turn to look at him and waved her hand in negative, " It's against the tradition, you can meet him only on your wedding night."

Yiheng stood there blankly for a long time.

"So...I'm getting married?"

Fast forwarding to the Betrothal ceremony

Wang Yiheng finally had the chance to meet his wife at their betrothal ceremony but his face was hidden with a red veil. They gracefully completed the rituals and then came the dinner banquet.

Yiheng sat impatiently among his subordinates because Bai Yuan excused himself from the dinner, telling everyone that he wasn't feeling very well. Everyone came forward one by one to congratulate their young Emperor on his auspicious wedding day. Yiheng could easily read the atmosphere in that banquet hall, as much as many people were brimming with joy, some were not so happy. He didn't care about them.

Instead, he excused himself and went to join his younger brother Xiyi who was trying his level best to make Mo Liangcheng drunk, on the other hand, Captain Hu Jintao and Xu Ying were rolling on the floor from laughing at the scene. However, as soon as Yiheng entered the circle everyone became polite and refined citizens.

Prince Xiyi twinkled, "Congratulations to my dearest Imperial brother!"

Mo Liangcheng, "Congratulations, your majesty."

Captain Hu Jintao, "Many congratulations to the sun of the Empire. May you and the consort have a blessed married life."

Xu Ying, "Congratulations on your wedding, Master."

"Please take your seats, everyone."

Everyone sat around Yiheng who seemed to be in deep thought. Prince Xiyi took the lead to ask, with a concerned voice, "Is something bothering you, Imperial brother?"

Yiheng looked unprepared to answer Xiyi's sudden question but not only Xiyi but also everyone present at that table was looking at him and waiting to hear his reasons.

"Well- I....I don't know how to say."

Sensing Yiheng's reluctance, Xiyi gently ushered, being careful not to press too much, "It's okay, Brother. You can always share with us. Let me fill your cup."

Yiheng was already on his 28th cup of alcohol that night. Call it being under the influence of alcohol or him letting down his guard down accidentally once in a while because it didn't take him time before he spilled all the tea to the people sitting at that table.

"Actually.....I have never slept with anyone. I-I feel anxious and .... and I don't know if my wife is willing to accept me tonight or not....ugh... my head hurts."

Everyone at that table was startled to hear his actual concerns and out of slight awkwardness, cleared their throats while Xiyi gasped and chuckled secretly, "Awww, so he was thinking about his bride all this while."

Yiheng cupped his head and propped it on the table over his arms. His face was red and his words stuttered when he tried to explain his pitiful state more.

But Xiyi quickly covered Yiheng's mouth with his hands.

"Brother!! Let's go to your room!" Xiyi quickly got up and helped Yiheng to get up as well.

Yiheng wrapped his arm over Xiyi's shoulder sluggishly and mumbled, "Hmm...my wife...waiting...want...meet him...."

Xiyi studied his condition and it looked bad enough. He quickly ordered Xu Ying to prepare a glass of lime and bring it as soon as possible while he helped Yiheng to reach his room.

Xiyi was successful in sobering up Yiheng a little before pushing him inside his bedroom.

"Maids, let's go, your masters won't need you here anymore." He ordered the maids before leaving.

"Okay, Prince."

On the other hand, Yiheng entered the gorgeously decorated bed chamber but to find Bai Yuan fell asleep waiting for him. He steadily went near and sat on the bed.

After thinking for some time, he finally managed the courage to raise aloft Bai Yuan's red veils.

Bai Yuan moved negligibly when his head ornament was touched and made a clinking sound.

"Mm.."

Yiheng looked at the fine facial features of the man lying on the bed defencelessly, in a complete daze. No wonder, he was spell bounded. Bai Yuan had heavy makeup but it wasn't hard to unravel the undefined beauty beneath the thick layers of powder and pigments. Yiheng's hand caressed Bai Yuan's soft porcelain-colored face and soon noticed that it had dried tear marks on it. Yiheng's brows knitted in sadness knowing that Bai Yuan had been crying while waiting in the room patiently.

It didn't take long before Bai Yuan finally felt someone's presence in the room and slowly opened his swollen eyes. He tried to sit up but Yiheng urged him not to, "It's okay, wife. Please lay down and sleep a little more."

Bai Yuan pursed his lips tightly and shook his head, "No, your majesty. How can a lowly consort make his majesty wait and keep him unaccompanied."

Yiheng instantly sensed the wide ridge of space between him and Bai Yuan.

"Wife, you don't have to. please, I'd very much appreciate it if you do things only if you feel like doing them. I want to take care of you." Yiheng moved his hand to gently touch Bai Yuan's face and caressed it.

Bai Yuan faced Yiheng's flushed face and bottomless golden eyes, touched his hand, and replied moving closer to straddle him, "I'm ready Your majesty. Let's consummate our marriage."

Yiheng thought that Bai Yuan was saying that against his will and so he tried to stop him. However, Bai Yuan just kept pressing. He sat on Yiheng's firm legs, straddling him and hugging his neck. He brought his face closer to Yiheng who was looking at him in disbelief and confusion about his actions. Bai Yuan's whole body reeked of alcohol because he too had been drinking before he eventually fell asleep. The next moment, their lips were on each other. Yiheng cupped Yuan's face inside his big rough palms and looked into those glistening azure eyes intently one last time before binding him in another kiss. This time his tongue entered Yuan's warm mouth, digging into every corner of it mercilessly. Yuan whimpered a muffled cry but then willingly wrapped his slender arms around Yiheng's neck, pulling him closer.

One passionate kiss led to another and thus things kept advancing until both of the bodies lay energyless on the bed, somewhere around dawn. Bai Yuan slept soundly inside Yiheng's strong arms as the dawn started to break. Yiheng stroked Yuan's soft hand which was unlike his rough ones and pressed a kiss on the back before sinking into a deep slumber.

*Knock* *knock* *knock*

Yiheng's sleep was hampered because of some loud banging on the door. He got up from the bed and pulled the cover over Yuan who was still very exhausted from the last night.

He wore his outer robe and went to open the door. As soon as he opened the door, he was surprised. All the influential ministers were striding back and forth in front of his door with dark and worried faces. He went down the stairs quickly and the Advisor came forward pushing everyone aside.

"Your majesty, please forgive these humble servants. We wouldn't have dared to disturb your sleep if the matter wasn't so critical."

Yiheng sucked in a breath and emotionlessly asked, "Tell me the situation." He caught a glimpse of General Bai standing at a distance with a gloomy expression.

The Advisor, "The Army needs your urgent guidance on the battlefield. Please make a quick decision!"

"I understand. Prepare everyone to leave tomorrow morning."

The Advisor shook his head frantically and pressed, "No No No Your majesty, those Barbarians will kill off our soldiers by tomorrow. I'm sorry, but you must leave for the battle as soon as possible!"

Yiheng was at a loss. He just said last night that he would take care of Bai Yuan and now he had to leave immediately? Yiheng helplessly looked at the door and then at General Bai.

"General, won't you be able to hold them for a day at least?" He looked at General Bai, badly hoping to hear a yes from him.

But General Bai couldn't reply as per his expectations.

He gritted his teeth before spatting, "Fine. I'll leave today. Prepare everything."

The Advisor conveyed his joy instantly and encouraged the other ministers to hurry up the process. Yiheng didn't for once looked at General Bai again and went inside his bed chamber. Bai Yuan was still in deep slumber, blankets clasped tightly between his folded legs and chest. Yiheng sat down on the floor beside the bed and lightly pushed Yuan's hair strands behind the ear from his supple face. Yiheng tried his best to smile and said, "Wife, please take care. I'll be back soon."

Before getting up to leave Yiheng planted a soft kiss on Yuan's forehead. Then, he turned on his heels and before Yuan woke up, he was gone.

Milestone:2650 words