Emperor’s Birthday

Several nights had gone by without He An touching him. Whenever the Emperor decided to sleep, he would simply lay next to Qi Xiu and close his eyes.

Even when Qi Xiu tried to take the initiative, the results were pure disappointment. He An was either too oblivious or doing it on purpose, but Qi Xiu would be rejected every time.

Just like tonight.

This foolish Emperor was sleeping as though there wasn't a peerless beauty like Qi Xiu by his side.

Qi Xiu stared at his sleeping lover and moved closer to him, gently brushing his fingertips against He An's face, savoring the warmth. He noticed how long and pretty He An's lashes were and how his face was refined and handsome, truly worthy of being the son of Heaven.

Qi Xiu blushed and leaned towards He An to plant a light kiss on the other's soft lips before pulling away and cuddling into He An's body.

Listening to the sound of their beating hearts, he was content and fell asleep.

...

He An opened his eyes after a few minutes and looked down at the cub clinging onto him, his heart racing dramatically. He felt their lips touch, wasn't that a kiss? His cub had kissed him?

There were so many questions in his head and there was a strange feeling in his chest that he couldn't quite distinguish, yet it wasn't an uncomfortable feeling. It was rather light and made him feel nice.

He decided to just ignore the matter that just occurred and pretended it was a familial interaction.

He took note of Qi Xiu's bare shoulders and shivering body and pulled the blanket over the cub, looping his arms around him. He, too, soon went to sleep—not knowing there was something brewing within his heart.

*

The next few days went by in a flash and before anyone could process things, it was the day of the Emperor's 21st birthday. It was only expected that a grand celebration be held in his honor, with all his concubines attending.

On such an auspicious day like this, Suyin was busy all day readying her silly Emperor. She was also shedding tears as though she had raised He An herself, saying things such as "You've grown up!" and "I remember when you were just a little child."

"..."

He An went against telling her that she was younger than him by three years and it was him who technically watched her grow up. He stared at Qi Xiu, who was silently looking at the two of them, a gentle smile on his face.

Qi Xiu had already been dressed earlier so he looked quite beautiful now, radiating an angelic appearance.

He An felt a thump in his heart.

...?

While Suyin rambled on, he saw a spirit enter his sight, obviously up to something.

Six peeked it's tiny head out and blasted off holographic fireworks, singing, [Happy birthday, host!]

He An, who was all dolled up by his maid, looked at the system and threw it's little body aside. It was blocking his view of Qi Xiu.

[It's the original body's birthday, not mine. I was already 21 in my original body.]

Six felt dejected and went to sulk. It's host was so cruel! It even went as far as to set off fireworks for him, yet he pushed it's kindness away! Fine, it doesn't care anymore!

"How long will the banquet be?" He An ignored his system and turned to Suyin, who was now working on Qi Xiu's hair.

"You can leave anytime, Your Majesty! Though your other concubines may not be happy about your absence. They're saying you haven't spent time with any of them recently." Suyin responded while skillfully braiding Qi Xiu's hair.

Upon hearing about He An's harem, Qi Xiu flinched slightly. He lowered his eyes.

"Those nosy officials are always nagging my ears off about producing an heir." He An complained. He was already busy taking care of his cub, how would he be able to take care of another one? Plus he was just in his prime, and dealing with women wasn't his specialty.

"Your Majesty, you won't be taking in an Empress? You're still so young, you should have multiple children by now!" Suyin felt her Emperor was the strangest person to exist.

He An knit his brows and frowned. He was only 21, why was he expected to impregnate so many women? He didn't even have many romantic experiences in his previous life since he was busy with his career.

Qi Xiu on the other hand was clenching his fist and smiling bitterly. He had spent too much time blinded by happiness that he forgot one big issue—He An was still the Emperor, he had a duty to uphold.

He would take in a suitable woman to be his Empress sooner or later and have many kids. Qi Xiu would be forgotten with time...

"Do I need a woman now? I think this matter can wait a few more years." He An voiced.

In this moment, Qi Xiu detested the fact that he was born as a man and not a woman. If he had a womb and could give birth to children, then it would be possible to trap He An with him forever and not worry about anything.

If only he was a woman...

"Besides, I already have Qi Xiu, why would I need another person?" He An's voice drowned away all negative thoughts Qi Xiu was having.

He looked up in surprise and Suyin giggled behind him.

"You dote on the concubine so much, you must surely treasure him!" She had just finished doing Qi Xiu's hair and was putting accessories on him.

"Suyin, since you enjoy gossiping so much, you should try being a reporter in your next life." He An chuckled but did not refute her words, which caused Qi Xiu to blush.

"What is a 'reporter', Your Majesty?" Suyin asked innocently.

"A troublesome person who takes joy in being in others' business. We should go now." He An teased her without her knowing. He had dealt with many reporters before, yet none were as persistent as Suyin.

He An smiled and got up to leave and Qi Xiu stood as well, wanting to follow him quietly, but he was still hung up on his words from earlier.

This would certainly be a long night.