Forever Mine[BL]

Chapter 19: When There Were Dynasties/Arc 3.2

Outside one of the many palaces in the Imperial City stood three figures before a carriage.

Prince Zhou Yuan smiled gently at the two, his brown eyes gentle. The new Emperor, Zhou Jian matched his smile.

"I'll miss you brother, have a safe trip. Hopefully your guards will be sufficient in case of an attack."

Laughing lightly at Zhou Jian's concern, the younger brother shook his yead.

"Why so negative? Don't send me off with such worries."

"Alright, my bad. But do be safe."

Wang Tao, who had been quiet the whole time, finally spoke when the two's conversation came to an end.

"Zhou Yuan, return soon."

The prince's smile widened despite the few words.

"I will, say bye to Madame Wei and Old Minister Wang for me."

Seeing Wang Tao nod, Zhou Yuan bowed slightly before turning and climbing into the carriage.

.

.

In the Emperor's study room, Zhou Jian sat at his desk, looking at his right minister from time to time. The tall man was seated in front of him, propping his head up as he went off into a daze.

Wang Tao stared at his emperor and imprinted every detail for the hundredth time. Zhou Jian had long silky black hair, gold phoenix-shaped eyes, a chiseled jawline, aquiline nose and bronze skin. The man was incredibly handsome in every lifetime.

Slowly blinking, Wang Tao met the man's eyes. Zhou Jian, noticing that his minister had snapped out of it, asked,

"Can you check for Chen Xiang's general identity in this world? I have a feeling that I should know beforehand."

"Mmm, sure."

Vanishing, Wang Tao went off to see the guardian and inquired about it. Shortly after he returned with a sour expression and whispered,

"A concubine."

"Concubine?"

"Concubine."

Zhou Jian's expression sank as he realized what that meant.

If he remembered correctly, originally, the crown prince died from an assassination forcing the second prince to take the throne as their father was already old and dying. That would mean that the original Chen Xiang was Zhou Yuan's concubine.

Most likely, the original had been hurt by other concubines in the harem which would be the reason for Chen Xiang taking over. In that case, as he was now Emperor, he would have to take in concubines for the same to happen, allowing his lover to enter the world.

Throughout his five years of reign, Zhou Jian hadn't taken any concubines as he had someone he loved already.

Zhou Jian also realized the cause for Wang Tao's mood change. Wang Tao was in love with him so it would of course hurt him to see Zhou Jian married or with a harem.

Despite having seen the two be a couple for so long, Zhou Jian and Chen Xiang never married in the two lives as Chen Xiang had died early. Thinking of all this, Zhou Jian declared,

"I don't want to."

"Huh? Then how would Chen Xiang come here?"

"I'm not sure..."

[ Sigh...He's really so loyal. I don't understand why Chen Xiang doesn't love him. I..I kind of hope he never does so maybe Zhou Jian would...No, no! Stop! You're here to help the two. You can't think like that! ]

Despite his complex inner thoughts, Wang Tao's face remain calm.

"If you don't do it then you won't see your love so what will you do?"