It wasn't long before they made it to the Imperial Capital. A trip through Buzhi Forest and onto Zhonglai's Official Road, waiting by a country inn for a caravan that would take them straight to the city, and before Tao Hua knew it, they'd arrived just a few hours past sunset.
This was much better timing than when Shan Si kidnapped him from Siyue Town!
The caravan brought them just past the gate and into the residential area of the Imperial Capital. It was enormous, with many things going on. So, when Shan Si helped Tao Hua disembark from the back of the caravan and onto his feet, Tao Hua's eyes widened in both wonder and fear.
Person after person flew by—children, couples, shouting merchants; just about anything one could imagine in such a large city. There were barely any points of darkness, with every nook and cranny lit by lanterns meticulously watched over.
In comparison to Jianlai, the Imperial Capital was busy with people regardless of the time of day, and although they were only at the entrance of the city—which was considerably quieter than the centre—it would be the first Tao Hua had come to experience such crowds.
A crowd without any familiar face in view, and no face he'd typically see twice.
He wasn't sure how to take it all in, and a part of his chest fluttered with an unannounced anxiety. He gripped Shan Si's arm, but his eyes danced around each passing head, fluttering moth, curved eave, and running child.
The moment he found some eyes were on him, his fingers subconsciously hooked into Shan Si's sleeve, and with just a single look, it wasn't hard to tell where Tao Hua's state of mind was.
To be exact, many, many, maaany people stopped to look at the odd couple, their eyes first landing on Tao Hua. In his mind, there was only one reason a person would ever do such a thing, and it was based on all he'd ever known.
Ridicule.
So, he looked away, his lashes drooping, and redirected his attention to the hands that readjusted his red cloak. Compared to his own, they didn't waver once without a jitter to their name. When he glanced up at Shan Si's face, all he saw was a calm demeanour of a man who'd been there and done that.
"It's fine, all you need to do is look at me," Shan Si said with ease.
Tao Hua hesitated but nodded, fearing that if he spoke, he'd direct unwanted attention toward him. Luckily, Shan Si's method worked and settled the discomfort in Tao Hua's heart, even by a small amount.
Without him, Tao Hua would certainly not have made it even this far in the city.
Even so, there was still another part of him that made him feel weak when watching how well this man took control. But that was just that; Tao Hua was so weak to him that he let him take as much control as possible, through the streets and toward the inn.
Despite his inability to read the atmosphere, Shan Si understood the intent of the pedestrians well, and spared no chance at allowing their glances to linger.
Flipping up Tao Hua's hood just before the inn, Shan Si reached his arm around his shoulders, trailing his fingers down to Tao Hua's waist. Playfully, he tugged him closer and said, "This way, Madam Hua. Your humble abode awaits."
The mere mention sent Tao Hua's heart askew. He beamed a smile, one worthy of squashing his flushed pink cheeks in if one so desired. Simply put, it made him look more precious than before, enough that no man could look away.
But alas, Shan Si kept his attention, one that was firmly drowning in what could only be affection; any person could surmise it just by looking at him.
Like a small flower ready to bloom, filled with the utmost innocence of the outside world's horrors.
Most men watching would furrow their brows. Naturally, this "couple" was in disguise, so they weren't confused at a husband's affection for their wife; rather, they assumed Shan Si was a blind man. And regardless of his ethereal looks, why ever would such an exceptional beauty ever take on an invalid as a husband?
It made them question their own choices and standards.
But this blind man was functioning better than, well, most of them! His movements handled this beauty with care, one hand wrapped around Tao Hua's waist, as if proclaiming ownership.
And even more when the pale eyes flashed a warning in their direction, as if peering daggers into their souls.
His other hand caressed the red string tied to the hilt of his sword, knuckles gone white. Though his face gave no hint of anger, such was said in the inch of black poking from the sword's plain scabbard, the lanterns nearby reflecting a piercing threat of light.
It's as they say, and if not, they should say: never fuck with a blind man who can use a sword and read their surroundings.
Into the inn they entered, and as soon as Shan Si unhooked his arm from Tao Hua, he was adamant about not losing him. Hand in hand, he led him toward the desk just as Shan Si conversed with the innkeeper.
This gave Tao Hua time to observe his surroundings. The sound inside was more muffled, but loud. There were many people, mostly travellers from regions yonder to experience the magnificence of a capital's Mid-Autumn Festival.
As Tao Hua anxiously hopped heads, avoiding the watchful eyes, his hand tightened around Shan Si's. He was like a kitten entering a new home for the first time, unsure what to focus on and without a place to hide.
So, he just narrowed in on the plentiful conversations abound. There were many citizens sitting in an area designated for food, so it was natural that discussion occurred with the typical capital gossip.
A new flavour, seemingly!
"The festivities?" a man said, sitting at a table with two others asked In his hand was a bowl, and just as he spoke, it hovered over his lips. "They're saying twice the budget went into it this year. Something about it being a magnificent celebration for those who can't."
Can't…? Tao Hua's brows pinched. It seemed there was still so much he had yet to learn about the world. Since when…?
"You know why that is, right?" The second man said, holding up his cup and motioning it toward the first one. "Why they're putting so much effort into this one?"
The first man shrugged, taking a drink.
"Many villages—like a ton! They're all dealing with the same issue of overrun creatures! Think yao not even the heavens can reign! There's not enough cultivators to go around!"
"Eh," the third man lowered his cup. This one looked to be the type that was never happy, even if granted all his wishes. "That's what happens when you live only in times of peace! None of these kids understand the hardships we once faced! Now our precious capital is overrun with tourists!"
How…? Tao Hua's face twisted in confusion, his upper lip lifting somewhat in disbelief of such a comment. It didn't make sense to him! People are struggling; is that anyway to respond to their suffering?
It didn't even address the issue of limited cultivators.
"Ah, now is that fair?" the second man pouted. As he spoke, Tao Hua's head twisted curiously. "Many regions around the the Great Zhong have been impoverished by this! Unless it's the Imperial Capital, no one can afford to host a festival. Even some of the more influential ministers will be present this year."
"Nice to see them show at least a bit of face," the first man laughed. "That Emperor Gaifu is surely one generous man, worthy of being the son of all under heaven."
"All by design," the third man scowled.
But before Tao Hua could listen any further, more and more people came in, many muffling out the conversation. It made him feel rather suffocated, and the more he tried to look past them, the worse it felt.
He wasn't sure what it was about the conversation that grabbed his attention so much.
When the crowd became a bit too much, Tao Hua finally took a step back, his chest pounding. He tried to rein in his thoughts, but felt dizzier and dizzier the more he thought.
Then, he felt something swish up the bangs on his forehead, lowering his hood. Jolting backwards, he nearly whimpered until his eyes fell on the culprit.
All he said was, "Oh."
Shan Si tilted his head, somewhat playful, but also curious.
"So skittish. Skittish and cute," he teased, before moving to Tao Hua's side and leading him toward the stairs. "Only on me—you'll be fine."
Tao Hua just smiled at him with a nod, his entire attention stolen by this thief.
Their room wasn't large, but it wasn't small either. More extravagant than Tao Hua gave the inn credit for. In the corner, a screen with an empty section, a chair, and a study. But what caught his eye was the bed.
A singular one.
Tao Hua's heart throbbed, and his cheeks flushed red. Though the two had been sharing a bed for quite some time, that was mostly through what Tao Hua considered convenience.
From the library to Shan Si's bedchambers, and his own, each only had a single bed to spare. However, when it came to an inn, wasn't there the choice of multiple rooms or separate beds.
Tao Hua just stared intently at it, images of the other night flashing in his head, unperturbed even by the sound of Shan Si latching the room shut and moving toward a lantern. Lighting it aglow, he slowly brought out a few things from his sleeve.
"I've asked the innkeeper to deliver our meals here, so there's no reason to risk leaving. You can remove the cloak." Shan Si said, now removing his sword from his waist and placing it on the end table with the map, a few papers, and a small rounded bag.
Shaking his head back to reality. "Oh. Okay."
A man of few words, yet a head filled with plenty.
Tao Hua nodded and started to unclasp his cloak. Though he struggled, glancing up at the bed a few more times than acceptable. This feeling in his chest, muddling his mind, was becoming far too unbearable, so much so that Tao Hua couldn't think straight at all.
The more he struggled, the worse his expression became until it contorted with frustration.
However, hands covered his, and a chin landed on his shoulder. Naturally, all breath within Tao Hua froze when he glanced over at the owner, and then to the to the pair of calm hands untied the golden clasp with ease.
"What's on your mind, Madam Hua?" Shan Si teased, a bit too close to Tao Hua's ears. "Tell this husband of yours the woes that plague you so, won't you?"
Chapter end.