"Gone deaf? Crumple that useless monstrosity up," said Shan Si, just as he started down the long hall, arms securely bound around Tao Hua's thighs. "It's an eyesore. For such a fucking old man, you'd think he'd practice what he preaches. Scholar, appearances, four gentleman's qualities—give me a break!"
The last of Shan Si's words weren't necessarily directed at anyone, nor was he interested in engaging the topic any further. From the sound of it, he was merely venting about whoever this mysterious artist was, and whoever the culprit was knew how to get under his skin.
Was that an impressive skill, or a hobby? Perhaps both.
Looking back down at the monstrosity of an art piece, Tao Hua frowned. Regardless of Shan Si's qualms with it, he happened to like the deplorable attempt; even terrible art pieces had their charms and deserved to be hung up.
But not even charms could survive Shan Si, however, and his orders were clear. This example of crooked-lined artistry was to meet its demise.
Who was Tao Hua to go against them?
At least I now know whoever this old man is intended to draw him. A for effort? he thought, crushing the paper between his hands to the utmost best of his ability.
It wasn't much, but it did the job.
Now, lying in the palm of his hand, Tao Hua stared at that tattered note. It convulsed in his hand, especially with how sluggish Shan Si's movements were through that long stretch of a hallway.
He clutched Shan Si's front robe, one eye bigger than the other upon examination.
I don't get it. If it's useless, why not throw it out?
Tao Hua's hand tilted, and he curled his fingers around the paper, preventing it from falling out of his hold. Tracing along the remnants of the word "LATE," his thumb blackened with a dusty sheen of charcoal, and that followed him along the paper.
Thinking back to the forest, and all of Shan Si's urgency, Tao Hua couldn't help but ponder aloud.
"Shan Si…" he began, tugging at Shan Si's robe. "What are you late for, exactly? Is this why you had to get back?"
"No," Shan Si answered, ignoring the first question entirely. The footsteps stopped echoing in that hall came to an abrupt stop, nearly causing Tao Hua to ram into the back of his head a second time.
Squeezing that piece of paper in his hand, he brought it toward his other, and held on tightly.
With a long inhale of the incense-filled air, Shan Si took every bit of playfulness and humanity inward, loudly exhaling it as if it had never once existed. He did this all while staring at the glaringly bright exit ahead.
All of this effort, just to announce: "Sedan service ends here."
Bent forward, Shan Si angled his body toward the floor, causing both of their hair to mix. Terrified of falling off his back, Tao Hua clutched onto him for dear life, disregarding his orders entirely.
None of it seemed to process, not yet at least. Therefore, Shan Si had to be a bit more straightforward.
"Off." He jerked his shoulder over and over, trying to get it through Tao Hua's head.
"Oh."
Peering down at the floor, Tao Hua felt a hoard of unpleasant and rather nervous emotions, all based on "what if."
But it wasn't as if he couldn't reason with them this time—and most of it was purely coming from the fact that he was enjoying not having to walk, maybe slightly aimed toward his special treatment.
Perhaps he'd grown far too comfortable buried in the warmth and scent of this moody man, more than he'd like to admit.
But, like all good things, they must come to an end, and compared to Shan Si, Tao Hua had the luxury of actually resting. And he knew, deep down, there was no reason for Shan Si to treat someone he'd just met a week prior better than any other man he knew.
Tao Hua peeked over at Shan Si's face. Under the dim light of the hallway, most of his features were unfortunately striking and profoundly shadowed, his under-eye especially. They were dark, and much darker than Tao Hua's, which was saying a lot given his current condition.
How much energy did he use up carrying me? Tao Hua hesitated, knowing fully well this man had carried him a quarter of the way through Buzhi Forest, and after a sleepless tantrum, too.
Glancing back over at Shan Si's stern complexion. Was he always that pale? I…I should offer some grace. I think.
Anyone in his position would be in a bad mood; therefore, Tao Hua decided not to think further on it. He chose to push the anxiety, curiosity, and doubt to the back of his head.
Heeding his orders, Tao Hua clutched the black and gold fabric tightly and tried to dismount Shan Si's back.
I'm not a princess, and he's not a hero. Tao Hua had to remind himself of that very statement—the exact one told to him by Shan Si. It hurt more than he gave it credit for and dwindled.
Nothing shaking it out of his head couldn't do.
"If you can't reach the ground, just say something," said Shan Si. "I can crouch."
"No, no—that's okay. I think I can do this."
The quicker they returned, the faster Shan Si could rest. Tao Hua didn't want to burden him more than he already had; he was an adult, not a child needing to be carried all the time.
However, an intrusive thought occurred. Tao Hua couldn't quite seem to shake the fact that maybe he wasn't doing this for Shan Si's sake, but for the fear of losing that version of himself he enjoyed.
Selfish.
"Well, then I'll leave you to it then," said Shan Si. Despite this, he still bent his knees to assist Tao Hua, his hand sloppily pressed against the wall.
Meekly smiling, Tao Hua shuffled himself toward Shan Si's side, one hand clutched to one shoulder, while his other wrapped around them still clutched onto the paper.
He lowered his foot toward the ground, hovering just above it as he tried to find his footing.
Closer to the ground, Shan Si bent, fully aware that Tao Hua wasn't a capable man. He was so awkwardly bent that Tao Hua was convinced the tall and slender man would snap in two pieces had he tried any further!
So, in order to prevent such a collapse, he quickly hopped off with a hup!
Both robes—the black and gold, and the blue—puffed out upon his descent. Tao Hua slapped it down, flattening each with a few pats, waiting for life to return to his numb legs.
But he noticed something the moment he picked up a bit of the fabric. Looking down at his own robe, Tao Hua made note of just how terrible and dirty it was. In fact, it was in such disarray that Tao Hua thought it was better just to discard them.
But he didn't bring anything else. Pressing his lips together, he stared at that fabric in his hand, concerned.
While he did this, Shan Si stretched himself straight, one hand massaging his shoulder and the other pushing against his side as he waited for Tao Hua to finally stabilize. Rotating his cuff, he looked down at Tao Hua, raising his brows a bit.
Tao Hua let the fabric go and held up an arm, his eyes following the way the black sleeves swayed. Clean, with barely even a scuff other than it being wet. Bringing it to his nose, Tao Hua awkwardly sniffed it, noticing that it still smelled like Shan Si.
Which made him wonder…just how badly did he smell in comparison? He tried to sniff-test himself, but all he could do was smell the same thing he had smelt all morning: Shan Si.
Weird…he felt embarrassed in more ways than one.
"Don't worry. I'll have replacements made for you back at the palace," said Shan Si. "Let's go."
Snapping into place, Tao Hua lowered his arm and stared down at the ground. Caught, just when he thought the other wasn't paying attention to him! That was one more tally on the list of embarrassing thoughts.
But even that was cut short by a realization.
Palace…? Does he mean the Imperial Palace? Tao Hua's brows pinched. Are we in the Imperial Capital? I Thought—Are we in the Imperial Capital? I Thought—
Thinking back to the banquet, cold chills coursed through his body. There was no possible way someone like Shan Si could be acquainted with the emperor of all people. Sure, they looked alike, but that's where Tao Hua wanted to draw the line.
But before Tao Hua could think on it any more, the echo of footsteps grew distant. Tao Hua looked up from his arm and toward the receding figure as Shan Si approached the blinding exit, blessed by the rays of light that surrounded him.
I guess I'll just have to find out, he lamented, slightly reluctant. What choice do I have?
The emperor was a questionable man, with morals not worth mentioning. But the fear he felt back at the banquet wasn't present. When he looked up at Shan Si once more, he felt a safety he couldn't explain.
He wasn't sure what it was about such a brooding, tired man that made all other dangers feel insignificant.
Dropping his arm, Tao Hua immediately nodded, stuffed the note into his sleeve, and darted toward Shan Si. He kept a safe distance behind him, but not too far either. The last thing he wanted to do was to provoke a negative reaction from an already exhausted beast.
Maybe I'll mention the emperor and what happened later…he should know.
As they moved past the second door and into the sunlight once more, Tao Hua lifted his hand to obscure his eyes. It was a moment longer before he could finally focus, and when he did, he was left completely speechless.
All of his worries, doubts, and fears would drop in a mere instant. Lips parting and eyes widening, he took in the beauty that was a large and glorious city sparkling in gold and ivory.
That's when he finally understood just how far he'd come from Siyue Town.
But there was one blunt difference, and it was an undeniable one. Tao Hua, though wonder-struck, still thought:
Where are the people?
Chapter end.