The King's Mate - Part 1: Banyue

Chapter 22

SURPRISE!!! I really didn't think I'd have the time but Fafa must've blessed me with a lil bit of luck so I could get his present out today lol
So Happy Birthday Fafa! <3 xD

__________________________________________

When Xie Lian woke up, it took him a little while to orientate himself. The last thing he remembered was falling asleep on his alpha's lap after all, so waking up in their bed threw him off a little. Though once the sleepy fog surrounding his brain had cleared, it was easy to come to the conclusion that Hua Cheng must have carried him to bed while he'd been asleep .

Once he realised it, he couldn't help but feel incredibly endeared by his alpha's action. Thus, he cuddled right back up to him, and fell asleep once more within seconds.

When Xie Lian woke up for the second time, there was already breakfast on the table, and Hua Cheng was getting dressed.

"San Lang", Xie Lian mumbled sleepily, but Hua Cheng heard him, and came over to him immediately. He even kissed his forehead.

His husband took the time to talk with him for a while, until Xie Lian felt like he was properly awake; which was something he very much appreciated.

"Gege, there's a matter that needs to be discussed with the court rather thoroughly today, so I will probably come home pretty late. I know we usually bathe together, but don't wait for me this time, okay?", he asked, and gave Xie Lian another gentle kiss.

Admittedly, Xie Lian felt a bit disappointed at hearing that, but there was nothing to be done about it. If a matter needed to be discussed the day after the Mid-Autumn Festival, and it was scheduled to last until late in the evening, then it certainly had to be extremely important. So Xie Lian just smiled, and told Hua Cheng it was fine.

After his husband had left, Xie Lian ate his breakfast, and once he was done, he made his way to Mei NianQing.

It was only when he'd already arrived at the Guoshi's residence, that a guard informed him about the man's absence.

Feeling a bit bummed about the fact that he couldn't attend his dance practice, he made his way to Shi QingXuan, to see if his friend was busy. He really hoped that he wasn't.

Xie Lian was lucky at first, and found the doctor lounging about in his office, pretending to read something, while obviously resting his eyes.

"QingXuan", Xie Lian greeted, though he couldn't keep the amusement out of his tone.

Hearing the unexpected voice, Shi QingXuan startled heavily, and jumped up from his chair while the papers he'd been holding went flying in all directions. However, as soon as he realised that it was Xie Lian who was with him, his expression turned delightedly mischievous.

"Xie Lian! How nice of you to visit", he smirked. "I'm surprised you can walk."

Xie Lian was a bit confused about that statement, and couldn't help but furrow his brows.

"Why wouldn't I be able to walk?", he asked, but then immediately regretted doing so.

"Oh you know~ musicians like to gossip", he grinned, and grabbed his fan from the table in order to fan himself, while also hiding his undoubtedly growing grin. "You know, I'm friends with a flautist who has received quite the damage to his ears when he played for the performance of the king's dancer last night", he said, and by the time he finished talking, his eyes had squeezed into crescents above the rim of the fan, giving him a truly evil look.

Xie Lian of course understood the implication immediately, and also immediately wished to perish on the spot. In fact, he was too embarrassed to react at all, and just froze up completely.