On the day Li Chong ascended the dragon throne and was declared Emperor, when he announced Zi Ying as the Grand Eunuch of the Inner Palace, the gathered officials were in an uproar. For him, beyond the shock, there was an even deeper sense of heartbreak.
That brave and peerless General Zi Ying on the battlefield had actually been subjected to castration and rendered a broken man! No wonder Zi Ying had been missing for such a long time, it was because he was recovering from his wounds. Was Zi Ying’s life not destined to be spent by the Emperor’s side, forced to watch helplessly as he filled his harem with thousands of women and sired children, while Zi Ying himself could never again be whole?
“What happened to Brother Zi Ying? What kind of illness does he have?”
Xie Zhengming shook his head.
“I do not know. The Emperor seems to be deeply reticent about this matter.”
Seeing Qin Duan’s deep concern, Xie Zhengming comforted him:
“Do not worry too much. Perhaps it is not a serious illness; it could be that the Emperor is simply being overly nervous about Zi Ying.”
After all, in Xie Zhengming’s memories of his past life, he had never heard of Zi Ying suffering from any incurable disease. It was just that in the second year after the Emperor ascended the throne, Zi Ying resided permanently in the inner palace and rarely appeared in the court. The last time he saw Zi Ying was at the wedding banquet when he married Princess Yan Ning; Zi Ying had left after coldly drinking a single cup of wine.
Qin Duan nodded, wishing with all his heart that Brother Zi Ying was truly fine.
“My wedding robes have been tried on and are perfect. You should try yours on as well; if there are any areas that don’t fit, we can have the seamstress make adjustments immediately.”
Xie Zhengming followed suit, trying on his wedding robes. The high-quality cloud brocade red robe was embroidered with a pair of lively, vivid lovebirds, with beads of all colors adorning the collar and cuffs, making it all the more magnificent. With the layered inner robes and the perfectly tailored waistline, it accentuated his naturally elegant and handsome figure, making the already graceful and dashing man appear even more noble and distinguished.
Just then, a servant reported that Commander Xu and Commander Zhao of the Thousand-Supervision Guards had arrived.
Xie Zhengming had wanted Qin Duan to put on his wedding robes so he could see him in them, but with this interruption, he had to give up on the idea.
Never mind, he thought. Since we are getting married tomorrow, I will be able to see Qin Duan in his wedding robes then. It was the wedding attire for his marriage to him…
Qin Duan helped Xie Zhengming change out of the wedding robes. He knew that tonight, Xie Zhengming’s brothers would surely pull him away for a hearty round of drinking.
“Go ahead, but don’t get too drunk.”
Instead, Xie Zhengming held Qin Duan’s hand and said:
“Why don’t you come with me?”
Qin Duan shook his head. He understood what Xie Zhengming meant, he didn’t want him to feel left out or neglected. Still, he appreciated the sentiment. Now that they were about to get married, he naturally wouldn’t let his imagination run wild.
“Forget it. I will return to my room and rest; I still have many wedding rituals to memorize for tomorrow.”
Although he knew those men, they weren’t his friends; he didn’t need to force himself into an atmosphere where he couldn’t blend in. Besides, with him there, Xie Zhengming would be mindful of him and wouldn’t be able to drink to his heart’s content.
As he spoke, Qin Duan gave Xie Zhengming a gentle push toward the doorway.
“Go on, don’t stay out too late.”
Xie Zhengming thought to himself that if he didn’t drink to his heart’s content with this bunch tonight, they wouldn’t let him into the bridal chamber early tomorrow. Thus, he hugged Qin Duan, rubbed his chin against his shoulder, and said:
“I won’t be back too late, but if you’re sleepy, go to bed early, hmm?”
Nearby, Yun’er covered his mouth and laughed.
“Your Highness, Young Master must stay in the West Courtyard tonight. Since you are marrying tomorrow, you cannot stay together tonight.”
Upon hearing this, Xie Zhengming pouted, though there was nothing he could do, these were the rules.
“Very well, Duan’er, I shall endure just this one night.”
Qin Duan felt a bit embarrassed hearing him say that; he didn’t know why this person had suddenly become so clingy. Yet, he was truly happy to indulge him.
“Mn, go on.”
After Xie Zhengming left, Qin Duan returned to the West Courtyard. But this time, his mood upon stepping into the courtyard was entirely different. He was no longer going to be alone in this courtyard, guarding a hopeless love and watching the main courtyard prepare for the day a mistress would eventually enter.
Tomorrow, he would be Xie Zhengming’s rightfully wedded spouse.
As a man marrying as a wife, Qin Duan didn’t feel any grievance or shame, because that person was Xie Zhengming, the man he had loved for so many years.
The night grew deep. Just past the hour of Hai (9 PM to 11 PM), Xie Zhengming returned to the Prince’s estate. Slightly tipsy, he subconsciously sought out Qin Duan’s figure the moment he stepped inside. Zhuzi hurriedly said:
“Your Highness, the Young Master has already rested in the West Courtyard. You should settle in as well; you need to rise early tomorrow.”
Xie Zhengming grew a bit more sober and nodded:
“Mn, yes, yes, sleep early. Tomorrow, I will bring the Young Master on a grand parade around the city.”
After Zhuzi served Xie Zhengming and saw him to bed, he went outside to use the latrine. As soon as he opened the door, he couldn’t help but shiver; a strong wind had picked up at some point, blowing the tender green leaves on the plane trees in the courtyard with a rustling sound. Not a single star was visible in the sky. Zhuzi frowned and muttered:
“Strange, it was perfectly clear during the day. How did the wind start? I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow, ah, I truly hope it doesn’t delay the Prince and Young Master’s big day.”
But no sooner had Zhuzi finished his business and returned to the room than a bolt of lightning as bright as day flashed across the sky, followed by a low rumble of thunder. Amidst the lightning and thunder, dark clouds gathered, and a torrential downpour descended in an instant.
Because Xie Zhengming had consumed quite a bit of wine, he was sleeping soundly, but Qin Duan, residing in the West Courtyard, woke up abruptly from his sleep. He didn’t know if it was because the scenes in his dream were too heartbreaking and tragic, or if it was the sudden, stormy thundering that had rattled his heart and mind.