Chapter 22: When There Were Dynasties/Arc 3.5

Wang Tao walked through the Imperial Palace and soon spotted the couple a distance away. The two were standing under a cherry blossom tree.

The pink petals slowly fell around them as the Emperor stretched out his hand to pick a flower. Gently, he placed it in the silky hair of the youth beside him who then raised his head and kissed the taller man on the cheek.

Wang Tao stood from afar and watched as the man deeply kissed his lover and a sour feeling took over him. Shaking his head, he turned around planning to return to his room. Before he could take a step, he heard the Emperor call his name and looked over at the man approaching him.

"Where are you going? You just reached and you're not even going to say hi?"

"I just didn't want to disturb you two."

Wang Tao lowered his eyes and slightly bit his lips. Zhou Jian realized what was wrong and sighed. He knew that the man still loved him and was hurt seeing the two together.

Zhou Jian at one point wondered if he should help his friend shift his affections but there didn't seem to be anyone around to do so. He also knew that it would be very difficult to change the heart of someone who was still in love after being rejected for 3 life times.

[ I had thought of setting him with Yuan but...he's human. ]

"Jian Ge?...Minister Wang, good morning!"

Chen Xiang saw Zhou Jian walk towards someone and had come to check who. Seeing Wang Tao, he greeted him.

Chen Xiang had soon realized that they didn't have a master and subordinate relationship, erasing his previous guess at Wang Tao's identity.

Zhou Jian was obviously someone with a high position and power so Chen Xiang assumed that someone treated as an equal by him would be too.

He was right and wrong but he didn't know that. Chen Xiang figured that he should be on good terms with someone of high status so he decided to start treating Wang Tao better.

The three exchanged a few words before parting. Wang Tao returned to his room in the palace. It was a room given to him ever since Zhou Jian was crown prince by Emperor Chen, who sadly passed away three years ago. He had stayed there so often during visits that it officially became his.

- - - - - - - - - -

The next day, Wang Tao strolled through the palace trying to clear his head. The Disaster Relief Fund case had been constantly on his mind.

"Minister Wang!"

Chen Xiang walked up to him with a bright smile. He gave off the air of innocence and purity and would cause one to lower their defenses.

"Consort Xiang. Do you need something?"

"No it's not that. I just wanted to greet you."

"You shouldn't just speak to people, rumors would spread."

"Ah, you're right. My bad. "

The boy seemed sorry and looked like a student being scolded by their teacher. It was a refreshing sight in the palace but it only caused Wang Tao confusion. He didn't remember them being close but the boy was treating him as such.

[ Maybe it's because he's seen me for 3 lifetimes? Even if we don't talk much I guess that would cause us to be somewhat familiar with each other. ]

Wang Tao was a bit uncomfortable at the sudden change in attitude as Chen Xiang did his best to keep the conversation going. Finally, the young man ended it and said farewell before continuing on his way.

Wang Tao stood there for a few seconds before brushing it off and returning to his room. He should get the report on the case from one of his subordinates soon.

This situation continued for days, as Chen Xiang always found a way to bump into Wang Tao. He would greet him every time they met and ask him about his day.

This weirded out Wang Tao so much but these short meetings were nowhere near as bizarre as what happened one afternoon.

________

Wang Tao walked through the courtyard of Consort Xiang on a task from the Emperor. It had been found that the Chen family were related to the relief funds case. Once he arrived, the consort allowed him entry and he stepped into the room.

Just then, Wang Tao froze in shock before frowning and turning his head. Chen Xiang was only half dressed as if he hadn't expected his guest to enter so soon.

His snow white shoulders and a bit of the red dots on his chest were revealed, a view which would make most men heat up in desire. The youth frantically wrapped his belt around himself and fixed his clothes as he apologized over and over.

"It's ok. Just ensure that this doesn't happen again."

Wang Tao said this before ensuring that it was ok for him to look. Once he got the clear, he turned and saw that the consort was now properly dressed in white robes. They gave off a very fresh and clean feeling and the look of shame on the young man's face made it hard for one to be upset.

Frowning slightly, Wang Tao sat down and cut to the chase. After a brief discussion with the boy, he confirmed that he had no knowledge of the situation and left.

Back in the room, Chen Xiang sat on his couch with a calculative look.

[ Mmm…He didn't seem interested but I'm sure that was just an act. Let's see how long he'll last. Soon, I'll have him wrapped around my fingers just like Zhou Jian. ]

Chen Xiang planned to seduce Wang Tao to ensure that he had another powerful man by his side. Even if he was in a relationship, he didn't care. With a smile on his face, Chen Xiang wondered if the silver haired male was the type to like secret relationships.

The system listened to its host thoughts and shivered, feeling sympathy for the two that Chen Xiang had set his eyes on.

A few days later, on a cool afternoon, the couple sat in the pavilion gazing at the pond beside them. Zhou Jian fed his lover a bun and watched him gobble it up with a smile. Contemplating a bit, Zhou Jian decided to bring up what was bothering him.

"Xiang er…are you close with Minister Wang?"

"Minister Wang? Yes, why?"

"Nothing, just since when?"

"Umm…about two weeks I think."

"Really?..."

Zhou Jian furrowed his brows a bit as he stared silently at his lover. He had a suspicion about the boy's intentions and sudden attitude towards his friend.

[ I should stop these thoughts...Just because Chen Xiang doesn't love me doesn't mean he loves Wang Tao. ]

From his observations, Chen Xiang definitely didn't have many good feelings for the Celestial but didn't seem to have bad ones either. His feelings appeared neutral until recently.

It could be that he's simply trying to control Wang Tao, but the older man didn't want to believe that. Zhou Jian changed the subject, bringing up the harem.

"I'm planning on dismissing the harem and making you Empress. Would you like that?"

Chen Xiang's eyes widened before lighting up like stars. The boy quickly agreed with a goofy smile before hugging his lover.

"That's sounds wonderful! Then it will just be us two, right?"

Nodding, Zhou Jian's eyes softened as he rubbed the boy's hair.

[ This is my lover. I can't let my love grow thin due to some misunderstandings or accusations. He's someone I've loved for 3 lifetimes, I won't give up on him. ]

Zhou Jian strengthened his resolve as he tried to dispel his doubts.

The couple chatted and laughed happily for the rest of their time. Giving his lover a kiss, Zhou Jian left to go catch up on his work, leaving behind a satisfied Chen Xiang.