3.20

The Emperor's eyes seems like an igniting flames, or even like a cave filled with pool of madness, as it glued on the printed marks of the sparrow's body. His mind was mess with echoing words and conclusion, without the proper confirmation, his thoughts traveled from a far.

His lips trembled, barely touching the fragile body of the youth, "X-Xiao... Chen what is this?" He choked, hardly to process the whole scenario.

He refused to believe it. Not only that, he even wished that these marks was only his illusion, that was caused by him, being paranoid. However, the lost of color on the sparrow's seemingly flustered face proved that his assumption was absolutely right.

Qiao Chen's pale eyes trembled, slender fingers pulled the fabric to cover his bare body, unconsciously staring at the Emperor, "Y-Your majesty—"

"Xiao Chen..."

Afterwards, the remaining light of the Emperor's eyes instantly vanished, leaving it with pure and pitch darkness, that collided with his bloodshot eyes. Like an active volcano, on the verge of eruption, with several random thoughts raging into his mind like a storm.

For a while, the Emperor automatically retreated backwards. His face has lost the gentleness and fondness towards this beautiful sparrow. Only regaining his consciousness can make him realize that his body was entirely trembling. Eyes burning with rage, never intended to accept this outcome.

"You fucking sleep with other man!"

"Y-Your majesty... L-Let me explain..."

Qiao Chen instantly stood up from the rosewood bed, pulling the already ripped thin robe barely covering the marks, making the Emperor more furious. Before the lovely sparrow approach his majesty, a strong and vast force landed on his cheeks.

Qiao Chen's eyes widened, shocked from the pain and disbelief from the unexpected action of the Emperor. The force was strong enough to make him fell down on the floor, swollen cheeks that burnt in despair. He can only helplessly watch the Emperor with his panic eyes.

There is no doubt that the Emperor had deeply loved the young sparrow. He showered him with all the good things in the world, proving his declaration of love. To the point where his other sparrows were ignored, and spend all his time sticking to his side.

Only to be betrayed by him in the end...

The indignant sensation was like a wave of fury, crawling into his body like a river of fire. Even if, the Emperor has already suspected Qiao Chen, he become ignorant and disregard his conclusion. His sparrow was holy and pure, not a bit of darkness can corrupt his purity.

What had gone wrong?

Did he perhaps grow tired of him? Or does his title not enough for him?

What offer can the second prince give that even the Emperor couldn't?

"Who is it...?"

The room was extremely dark, and the only light that came from the dim room was the sparkling ripple projected on the open window from distance, following the surging and shivering breeze of air. But it seems like, the Emperor's face was darker than all.

Qiao Chen lowered his head, expression unconsciously scared and terrified, with his fingertips barely touching the bruised cheeks and wounded lips.

However, his silence ignited the fire in the Emperor's heart.

The Emperor forcibly pulled the sparrow up, "You don't have to answer, because I already knew who did it!" He then slapped his face once more.

The Emperor's did not care if he hurt this lovely sparrow or not. The only matters right now is he needs to vent his anger, or else he will get crazy from this insane sensation.

"Y-Your majesty..." Qiao Chen muttered in tears. Blood started dripping in the corner of his swollen cheeks. Dark hair that was usually neat and clean was now in chaos. "I-I didn't —"

"Don't fucking act pitifully, you whore!"

"Y-Your majesty please..."

The Emperor coldly glared at the latter. His mind was in completely chaos. He grabbed the sparrow's hair, earning himself a painful sob. But he already lost his care, the moment this sparrow betrayed him.

He leaned his face closer to his ears, "Watch, how I destroy that lover of yours."

Qiao Chen's eyes widened. However, the Emperor already started walking away, forcibly closing the door in his room.

Qiao Chen wiped his tears and blood. A deep flash of light illuminated in his pale, green eyes.

-----

"This is the map of the whole country, all hidden passages, doors and escape routes was already there."

Wen Yang stared at the scroll in the table. His ocean eyes sparkled with amusement while reading the contents on the paper. Afterwards, his eyes shifted to the opposite side of him.

"Menxiang, I didn't know you work quicker than my men."

Bai Menxiang only replied with a confident smile, "I suggest to never underestimate me Wen Yang."

"I agree."

There is no point on investigating about the works of Bai Menxiang. Wen Yang was always a straight forward person, who only uses anything that will benefit him. He doesn't hesitate to destroy or demolish all the things that was keeping him away from achieving his goals. As long as Bai Menxiang won't betray him, it is enough already.

Wen Yang's ocean eyes curved slowly, a sudden thought invaded his mind, "Qiao Chen has successfully lured the Emperor into his palm. Hmm... it will be harder to drag him down, now that the latter gain the support of his majesty."

There is evident anger in Bai Menxiang's eyes, eventually disappeared without a trace, lifting his eyes to meet the scheming gaze of Wen Yang, he asked, "Don't play tricks on me, you already know how I manage to trick Qiao Chen. In fact, this event obtains you benefits isn't?"

Wen Yang amusingly chuckled. He turned his head to a servant and whispered some words before finally returning his eyes to the young man.

"I supposed so."

Indeed. The matter of his majesty spending his time to Qiao Chen gained many advantages to Wen Yang. It allowed him to roam and inspect the overall situation of the country. Though, he doesn't know why the Emperor restrict the lovely sparrow. And the catastrophe in the country also enable him to gather his army and plan for the incoming massacre. He already sent messages to his kingdom to carry on their plan with the help of Bai Menxiang.

The Emperor was not prepared... the court was in mess... the Crown Prince position has not yet fill.

It is a perfect opportunity for Wen Yang and the Shu Kingdom to strike this country.

As for the second prince?

Wen Yang frowned. It is unlikely to think that Yong An was still oblivious about his schemes. That's why he carefully lay all the traps to avoid the suspicion of the prince. Nevertheless, Wen Yang was not imprudent, just a slight of inaccuracy can alert all his enemies and destroy his overall plans.

For a week... That's right. He should take this opportunity before this country will recover.

Bai Menxiang has already said his purpose thus rose from his chair, "Wen Yang, I will take my leave."

Wen Yang only nodded and watched the disappearing figure of the young man.

After a couple of minutes, Wen Yang decided to rest. He instructed two of servants to prepare a bath, which was quickly obeyed. Once he was finished and was dressed in his thin night robe, he dismissed all his servants, leaving him alone.

Suddenly, his body feels entirely hot. He arched his back uncomfortably and pant heavily. His vision turned blurry and the hotness of his body spread all over.

"W-What... is going on...?"

Skin turned scarlet and sensitive, eyes seems covered with water mist that gave off an erotic view. He doesn't understand. Why is he experiencing this?

He whimpered and hardly crawled into his bed. With his movements without a trail, his body fell down on the ground. Sweats cling into his pores as he constantly crawled into nowhere. Unconsciously, his naughty hands found it way to his crotch. Furthermore, moans started to come out from his parted lips as he started to pleasuring his body.

However, it was not enough. He needs warmth. More... sensual touch.

At the moment, the door on his chambers were forcibly opened revealing a darkened face of the Emperor. Nonetheless, for Wen Yang, his majesty was like a light in his endless sexual struggles.

He dragged his body towards the Emperor, and gladly rubbed his shaft.

"Y-Your majesty... h-help me..." he sexily pleaded.

The Emperor was still fuming in anger. However, he found his self reacting from this sexual attempt. His cold eyes desperately narrowed. The fire in his heart sparks in different kind of flames.

"Y-Your majesty... please..."

"Xiao Chen..."

Thus, the Emperor vented himself from this sexual frustration.

----

Qiao Chen stared again at the endless sky. Eyes held no emotion and only pure calmness. His cheeks were red and swollen, lips that had a trace of blood. Subconsciously, he tilted his head and meet the cold face of Yong Guan.

Hesitation gradually appeared in his green eyes before returning to its tranquility. Feet slowly moving forward and stopped at the figure of the young man.

"What bring his highness here?" Qiao Chen asked with his mask suspicion. He doesn't need to know how the fourth prince manage to get here in such a short period of time. Albeit, he already expected him coming along his chamber.

The stoic face of the prince apparently hardened, rough fingers slowly touches the bruised skin of the sparrow, "What happened to this?"

Qiao Chen remained silent.

Yong Guan's action turned aggressive and unknowingly shook the shoulder of the sparrow. His eyes trembled, losing the coldness on it.

With the message conveyed by his shadow guard, Yong Guan already know how the sparrow received this injury. He immediately flew all the way from his residence to check the sparrow.

"Your highness, please go now."

"W-Why..." Yong Guan's pupils violently trembled before darkness invaded on it, "Qiao Chen. Why did you do that?"

"Your highness—"

"Don't try to bullshit me!" He yelled. He doesn't care if his voice was loud enough to alert all the servants, what's matter to him now was the truth. He gritted his teeth, stating his conclusion, "You desperately did this, do you? Qiao Chen... why are you so cruel..."

The sparrow look away, seemingly guilty.

With this, Yong Guan bitterly laughed. Face full of sadness and anger, like a lonely snow on the edge of void, discreet from the rest.

"You deliberately let me touch you that night, not because, you like it right? But because you knew that the Emperor will bed you the next day. Qiao Chen... you're so cruel. I can tolerate you explaining your reason to me... eventually, you did not. Do you know how much I was happy that night? How much delighted I was, expecting that... you let me touch you because... you like me..." He choked.

Yong Guan frustratingly brushed his hair upwards, ignoring the tears hesitating to drip on his eyes.

A clear rejection was always... better than a fake promises.

Receiving no answer from the youth, he chuckled, "Perhaps, you already know that I like you right? In the beginning, you already perceive that I was sexually attracted to you. That's why, you intentionally mention marriage with the Zhao family to provoked me, due to the fact that I will aggressively do something about you. What if your plan of provoking me don't work? Would you use some alternative in order to trigger the Emperor? In what way? In a way just like you lure me just to achieve these marks? Will you choose another person to do this?!"

"Yes."

Yong Guan's eyes widened with the plain answer from the sparrow. His breathing got quicker and faster... like there was an invisible rope that was attach in his heart, and would tighten from time to time.

The sparrow did not even try to deny his accusations. He certainly wished that the sparrow would reject his assumption... just for him to feel less hurt.

His sad face turned cold, "Why are you doing this?"

"Does his highness forget? I am a selfish person, his highness liking me will only hinder our plans. It is better for his highness to eliminate that emotion."

Yong Guan did not answer but his hands was clenched into a fist so as his teeth were gritted hardly.

"If that's what young master want, then alright. I will never bother you. I will take my leave now." He coldly uttered and jump down through the window.

Qiao Chen sighed and stared at the directions where the fourth prince disappeared.

It is better for the fouth prince to get rid of that emotion he feels for Qiao Chen.

Beside, Qiao Chen could never like him in the end. It is enough for him to leave Wang Wei and Hee-Ryang in the past worlds. He also feels guilty.

And at the end of the day, he wasn't destined to stay here.