A Kiss Under the Moonlight
Zi Qian's head throbbed with a dull ache as he slowly regained consciousness, his eyelids heavy with fatigue. As he sat up on the bed, his senses slowly coming back to him, he became aware of two figures seated beside him. Xuanming, the Crown Prince, and Xiao Yang, his trusted companion, watched over him with a mix of concern and relief etched across their features.
With a groan, Zi Qian rubbed his temples, trying to ease the pounding in his head. "Ah, my head hurts," he muttered, his voice hoarse with sleep. His eyes remained closed, shielding them from the harsh glare of the room's lighting. As Zi Qian finally opened his eyes, he was momentarily blinded by the sudden influx of light. Blinking rapidly, he squinted at the figures beside him, his vision gradually adjusting to the brightness. The sight of Xuanming and Xiao Yang sitting beside him caused a surge of confusion to sweep through him, his mind still foggy from his recent ordeal.
"What are you both doing here?" Zi Qian exclaimed, his voice laced with equal parts surprise and irritation. "Sitting here like ghosts!" His outburst reverberated through the room, punctuating the stillness with an air of tension. Instead of taking offense, however, Xuanming's laughter filled the room, his jovial demeanor a stark contrast to Zi Qian's frazzled state. With a playful grin, he leaned closer to Zi Qian, his eyes sparkling with amusement. As the Crown Prince approached him, Zi Qian's instincts kicked in, prompting him to instinctively shrink back, his movements hesitant and wary. His muscles tensed as Xuanming drew nearer, a flicker of apprehension flashing across his features.
Before Zi Qian could react, he found himself enveloped in a suffocating embrace, Xuanming's arms wrapping around him in a tight hug. Panic surged through Zi Qian's veins as he struggled against the unexpected onslaught, his chest constricted by the overwhelming pressure.
"Your Highness, what are you doing?" Zi Qian gasped, his voice strained as he attempted to push Xuanming away. Each futile attempt only served to tighten the prince's grip, trapping Zi Qian in a vice-like hold. Beside them, Xiao Yang cleared his throat, his expression a mix of amusement and mild disapproval. Sensing the tension in the air, he intervened, his voice calm but authoritative.
"Your Highness," Xiao Yang interjected, his tone measured yet firm. "Perhaps it's best to give Zi Qian some space."
At the sound of Xiao Yang's voice, Xuanming reluctantly released Zi Qian from his embrace, stepping back with an apologetic smile. "My apologies, Zi Qian," he said, his tone contrite. "I was just relieved to see you awake." Zi Qian took a moment to catch his breath, his heart still racing from the unexpected encounter. Despite the discomfort of the hug, he couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude towards Xuanming for his concern. Despite Zi Qian's attempt to distance himself, the Crown Prince persisted in his affections, enveloping both Zi Qian and Xiao Yang in another unexpected embrace. This time, however, Xiao Yang found himself caught in the prince's grasp alongside Zi Qian, their proximity to each other adding an extra layer of awkwardness to the situation.
As Xuanming pulled away once more, Zi Qian couldn't help but release a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. His confusion mingled with a hint of amusement at the Crown Prince's persistent displays of affection.
"Young Master Xue! I'm glad that you are back to normal now," Xuanming exclaimed, his voice tinged with relief as he stepped back, allowing Zi Qian and Xiao Yang to regain their composure. With a warm smile, he gestured towards the table, where a selection of fruits had been laid out.
"Please, help yourselves," Xuanming offered, his tone hospitable as he made his way towards the door. "I must take my leave now, but do not hesitate to call upon me if you need anything." With a final nod of farewell, the Crown Prince exited the room, leaving Zi Qian and Xiao Yang to exchange bemused glances in his wake. As the door closed behind him, the tension in the room lifted. "What's going on?" Zi Qian asked, perplexed, as he noticed Xiao Yang's intense gaze fixed upon him. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"It appears you're back to your usual self," Xiao Yang remarked, his tone thoughtful, before excusing himself from the room. Baffled by Xiao Yang's cryptic comment, Zi Qian turned his attention to the mirror, seeking answers within his own reflection. As he gazed at the amulet dangling from his neck, a sense of unease settled over him. With a hesitant touch, he reached for the pendant, his fingers brushing against its smooth surface. To his astonishment, a soft pink mist began to emanate from the amulet, swirling and coalescing until it took on a familiar form. Before Zi Qian's eyes materialized the figure of Yu Xuan, his presence a haunting reminder of the secrets hidden.
"Yu Xuan? Have you already regained your original form? So soon?" Zi Qian's voice betrayed his astonishment as he surveyed the ethereal figure before him.
"No, it took me a full month," Yu Xuan replied, his tone measured and calm despite the gravity of his words. "A month? But it feels like just yesterday that you were freed," Zi Qian exclaimed, his mind struggling to grasp the passage of time.
"No, little Qian Qian, it has been a month since you woke up," Yu Xuan clarified, his voice carrying a note of solemnity. As Zi Qian absorbed this revelation, a chill crept down his spine. "The Ghost Lotus Alliance is cunning indeed," Yu Xuan continued, his gaze piercing through the veil of secrecy that shrouded their past. "During the time you were confined within the depths of the Ghost Alliance, they devised a clever scheme to conceal your absence."
Zi Qian's eyes widened in astonishment as Yu Xuan revealed the truth behind his mysterious disappearance. "They created a clone of you," Yu Xuan continued, his tone solemn. "This clone has been living amongst your friends at the academy, masquerading as you in your absence." A chill ran down Zi Qian's spine as he processed the implications of Yu Xuan's words. "But... how is that possible?" he stammered, his mind reeling with disbelief.
"Your clone could mimic your voice but lacked your true emotions," Yu Xuan explained, his gaze steady. "As a result, your friends noticed a change in your behavior, sensing a coldness that was uncharacteristic of you." A sense of unease settled over Zi Qian as he realized the extent of the deception that had been perpetrated upon him. "So, what happened to the clone?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Following the events of your one-month tenure with the Ghost Alliance, they devised a cunning plan to seamlessly reintegrate you into the academy without raising any suspicions. To accomplish this, they orchestrated the demise of your clone, which had been residing in the academy, by sending it to the perilous depths of the Forest of the Dead.
In the heart of the forest, your clone met its demise at the hands of the malevolent creatures that lurked within its shadows. Once your clone had been eliminated, your unconscious body was teleported to the same location, positioned to replace the now-deceased imitation." Yu Xuan said.
"As a result, when your friends discovered you lying unconscious amidst the treacherous landscape of the Forest of the Dead, they were convinced that you had fallen victim to an attack by its monstrous denizens. Unaware of the elaborate ruse orchestrated by the Ghost Alliance, they rushed to your aid, believing that they had stumbled upon a dire situation," he continued.
"All of this unfolded right under our noses! It's utterly shocking," Zi Qian exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief as he processed the elaborate scheme that had been orchestrated by the Ghost Alliance. Turning his attention to Yu Xuan, he posed a question laced with curiosity and concern. "And what of you, Yu Xuan? Do you intend to remain confined within the amulet?" Yu Xuan shook his head, a determined glint shining in his eyes. "No," he declared, his voice resonating with resolve. "I have no intention of lingering within the confines of this amulet any longer. Instead, I plan to infiltrate the academy under the guise of a new disciple."
"What? How can you manage that?" Zi Qian exclaimed, his disbelief evident in his voice as he grappled with the implications of Yu Xuan's revelation. "It's entirely possible," Yu Xuan replied, his tone unwavering as he outlined his plans with a sense of quiet determination. A sense of anticipation hung in the air as Yu Xuan continued, his words carrying a weight of significance. "Once I'm within the academy, I will assume the identity of your closest confidant, known simply as..." He paused, allowing the words to linger tantalizingly on the air, before finally revealing the chosen name. "...your best friend....Yu Han."
" Nice name right?" Yu Xuan chuckled. " But I didn't say that I will help you yet?"
" Don't worry, I know you will agree to help me later!" Yu Xuan said with confidence."Ah! Get lost now, evil fox!" Zi Qian's voice echoed through the chamber as Yu Xuan dissolved into a mist, his form vanishing into the ether. Ready to take on the guise of Zi Qian's trusted friend, Yu Xuan bided his time, his presence shrouded in mystery.
As night descended, casting a blanket of darkness over the tranquil garden, Zi Qian ventured outside, the soft glow of moonlight illuminating his path. To his surprise, he found the Crown Prince seated on a swing, engaged in animated conversation with the rabbits that frolicked amidst the blooming flowers.
"You know, little one," Xuanming mused, his tone tinged with playful exasperation, "I did feel rather neglected when he ignored me those days." His words were met with a chorus of soft chattering from the rabbits, their twitching noses and whiskers lending an air of whimsy to the scene. Zi Qian couldn't help but chuckle at the sight before him, the absurdity of the situation not lost on him. "He's more childish than me," he remarked, his voice laced with amusement as he watched the Crown Prince interact with his furry companions. "Your Highness! What brings you out here?" Zi Qian called out as he approached, taking a seat beside the Crown Prince on the swing.
"Ah, nothing much," Xuanming replied with a serene smile, his gaze fixed on the luminous orb of the moon overhead. "Just enjoying the tranquility of the night and the company of these delightful creatures." He gestured towards the rabbits, who seemed entirely engrossed in their conversation with the Crown Prince.
"I see," Zi Qian nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I simply wanted to clear my mind and take in some fresh air," he explained, his eyes scanning the garden bathed in moonlight. As they sat together in companionable silence, the gentle rustle of leaves and the soft murmur of the night enveloped them, lending a sense of peace to the cool evening air.
The moonlight cast a soft glow upon their intertwined figures, illuminating the garden in a ethereal radiance as the Crown Prince drew closer to Zi Qian. Their thighs touched, and their hands found each other, fingers intertwining in a silent gesture of longing. Zi Qian's gaze remained fixed on the shimmering moon, a serene smile gracing his lips as he basked in the tranquility of the night. Suddenly, he felt the Crown Prince's grip tighten around his hand, the touch sending a jolt of warmth coursing through his veins. Startled, Zi Qian turned to face him, his eyes widening in surprise at the intensity of the Crown Prince's gaze.
"Zi Qian," the Crown Prince began, his voice soft yet tinged with a hint of sadness. "Why did you distance yourself from me?" His words hung heavy in the air, each syllable laden with unspoken emotion. "Did I do something wrong? Was I not good to you?" The Crown Prince's disappointment was palpable, his heart laid bare before Zi Qian's bewildered gaze.
Zi Qian's heart ached at the sight of the Crown Prince's anguish, his own confusion mirrored in the depths of his eyes. "I...I didn't mean to," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. Zi Qian did not know what to say. The Crown Prince's grip on Zi Qian's hand tightened even further, as if seeking solace in the warmth of his touch. "Do you know how miserable I was without you?" he continued, his voice trembling with emotion. "How I felt when you didn't respond to me? How lonely I felt?" His words hung in the air, a poignant reminder of the depth of his feelings.
Zi Qian's heart clenched at the raw vulnerability in the Crown Prince's voice, his own emotions swirling in turmoil. He reached out tentatively, cupping the Crown Prince's cheek in a gentle gesture of reassurance. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice barely audible above the gentle rustle of leaves. "I never meant to hurt you." The Crown Prince's gaze softened at Zi Qian's touch, his eyes reflecting a mixture of longing and hope. With a trembling hand, he guided Zi Qian's palm to rest over his heart, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat echoing in the stillness of the night. Zi Qian's breath caught in his throat at the intimate gesture, his own heart racing in tandem with the Crown Prince's.
As the Crown Prince drew closer, Zi Qian felt his heart race with anticipation, their eyes locked in a mesmerizing gaze that seemed to transcend time itself. In that fleeting moment, the world around them faded into obscurity, leaving only the two of them suspended in a universe of their own creation. Their lips hovered mere inches apart, the warmth of their breath mingling in the cool night air. With a gentle yet determined motion, the Crown Prince closed the distance between them, pressing his lips softly against Zi Qian's in a tender embrace.
Zi Qian's eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected kiss, but as their lips met, he felt a surge of warmth flood his entire being. It was a kiss filled with passion and longing, a silent declaration of the love that had blossomed between them. Unable to resist the overwhelming tide of emotion, Zi Qian surrendered to the kiss, his heart overflowing with love and desire. In that moment, all doubts and fears melted away, leaving only the intoxicating sensation of their lips moving in perfect harmony. Zi Qian did not know that feeling. Was that love or he was just guilty? As they parted, breathless and flushed with emotion, Zi Qian gazed into the Crown Prince's eyes.
As Zi Qian pushed the Crown Prince away and fled into the night, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions churned within him. His heart raced with uncertainty, his mind reeling from the intensity of the moment they had shared. Yet, despite the undeniable attraction he felt, Zi Qian's thoughts were consumed by doubt and fear, his actions driven by a desperate need to protect himself from the overwhelming tide of emotions threatening to engulf him.
Unbeknownst to Zi Qian, Xiao Yang stood silently on the balcony, his gaze fixed on the scene unfolding below. His heart ached with sympathy for the Crown Prince, whose confession had been met with rejection and silence. Xiao Yang understood all too well the pain of unrequited love, the bitter sting of longing for someone who could never return his affections.