Hua Xianle

Chapter 94:

Even after the night of passion and dual cultivation that lasted long past the Lan bedtime, Wangji awoke at his usual time, his entire body sore and throbbing. Bruises and bitemarks littered his skin, and a sticky feeling coated his stomach and thighs. His chest felt cooler than the rest of his body, but he ignored it in favor of the solid weight that was clinging to him, head tucked beneath his chin.

He moved slowly, bringing his hand down on the dark, tangled hair of his beloved Hua Ying. The prince was sound asleep, likely for the first time in months, snoring lightly as he held the jade. It helped ease some of the worries plaguing Lan Zhan, though he was far from satisfied. He needed to know if it worked.

One of Hua Ying's hands was resting on Wangji's shoulder, which allowed the jade to carefully take hold of the wrist, prodding at his zhiji's meridians. What he found as he did sent a shudder of relief through his body. Yin and Yang energies were circulating evenly through Hua Ying's body, his core humming with more power than ever before. He was perfectly balanced.

It worked.

Sitting up as best he could, Lan Zhan propped himself against the bed's headboard, continuing to cuddle with his sleeping zhiji. Seeing the peaceful expression on his relaxed face, it was easy to see the loving, kind prince that had been hiding within Black Mist Death Song. Of course, he knew that the Living Ghost King was just as much a part of his beloved Hua Ying as the Heavenly Prince was, and he loved them both equally. After all, Hua Ying is Hua Ying.

Perhaps it was the movement, but the young prince began to stir slightly as Lan Zhan tried to get comfortable. He groaned slightly, lifting his head to blink tiredly in Wangji's direction. As their eyes met, Wangji couldn't help but gasp, seeing two mismatched eyes staring back at him.

Hua Ying's right eye, once a brilliant silver like a full moon on a clear night, was now a deep shade of crimson. It reminded Lan Zhan of a Blood Moon shining on a rare night, and it took his breath away. He had always believed his beloved to be beautiful, but now, he was breathtaking. Even in his emaciated form, those eyes shone with untold power, knowledge, and ambition.

Quietly, Wangji swore that the next time they shared a bed, it would be he who brought Hua Ying pleasure. He wanted to see those eyes clouded with lust and desire, but that was for another time.

"Hua Ying," he called out softly, never breaking his zhiji's gaze.

"Lan Zhan..." Hua Ying croaked, his voice hoarse and tired as he lifted his head. "Are you alright? Is something wrong?"

In response, Wangji cupped his zhiji's cheek, thumb caressing the area right below that crimson orb.

"Your eye."

Hearing that, Hua Ying frowned.

"It's not a bruise, Lan Zhan, it's an eyebag." He cuddled up against the jade's chest, closing his eyes again. "They'll go away once I sleep, something you should do too."

"Hua Ying." Lan Zhan kept his tone stern, knowing that this was serious. "Not bruised. Not eyebags. Your eye is red."

"That's from sleep deprivation..." Hua Ying brushed off, yawning widely before snuggling closer. "Just rest, Lan Zhan. We both need it."

As much as Wangji wanted to argue, he knew a losing battle when he saw it. So, he fell silent, listening to the sound of Hua Ying's breathing evening out. It didn't take long for the prince to fall back asleep, the subtle snoring the only sign that he was still alive.

Despite the prince's request for him to sleep, Wangji could not. All he could do was hold his precious zhiji, as if afraid that letting go would make him disappear. It didn't help that he could feel Hua Ying's bones through his robes and his skin. The poor state of said robes didn't help either, the cloth threadbare and stained despite clear attempts to launder it. His healthy, happy zhiji, reduced to this skeletal shell... it hurt more than words could say.