“Huff…”
Yu Zhi turned his head and buried it in the quilt. Fingers bearing a ring of red marks slowly closed around the thin blanket beneath his palm as he gently shut his eyes.
……
The dragon veins trembled. Deep within the valley, mountains collapsed and rocks shattered. Bridges snapped, waters rose, and the once tranquil haven became a muddy ruin, its constant hum echoing through the gorge. Floodwaters surged across the wilderness, rushing toward the narrow riverbed.
Yet the master of water control was nowhere to be found.
Yu Zhi breathed in barely perceptible gasps, a thin sheen of sweat beading on his forehead. Motionless, he waited for the strange sensations to subside.
Autumn winds swept in, carrying a bone-chilling chill. Yu Zhi pulled his robes tighter around himself, wrapping himself more securely in the brocade quilt.
Having just recovered from a serious illness, he had no desire to fall ill again.
After a long while, the tremors gradually subsided. Yu Zhi breathed a sigh of relief.
Resting for a moment, he slowly sat up once everything returned to normal. Slipping on his shoes, he shuffled over to the wooden window.
Damn.
Surrounded by water on all sides, the small boat had been rowed away by Luo Tingshi.
Far from the shore, with few people in the eastern courtyard, even shouting would be futile. He was stranded on an island, unable to go anywhere.
“Luo Tingshi, you’ve done a fine job!” Yu Zhi muttered angrily under his breath.
His gaze swept across the vast expanse of water when suddenly, a small dark speck appeared in the distance, heading straight for him.
Yu Zhi immediately turned back, straightened his clothes, put on his shoes and socks, and gave himself a thorough once-over. Satisfied that nothing else seemed amiss, he finally relaxed.
“Your Majesty, your servant is here to escort you back.”
Soon, the respectful voice of an attendant came from outside.
Yu Zhi slowly walked out of the small cottage. Several guards stepped forward to escort him onto a wooden boat, and the group returned to the shore.
Yu Zhi turned to ask them, “Did Luo Tingshi send you?”
The attendant replied, “Yes. Xishan Pavilion has already sent people to clean and prepare. Your Majesty may move in today.”
Yu Zhi asked the group, “Did Luo Tingshi mention when he might return?”
“We do not know.”
Yu Zhi exhaled slowly, a flicker of restlessness stirring within him. Judging by the situation, Luo Tingshi seemed unlikely to return anytime soon.
He wondered what could have possibly happened.
The group accompanied Yu Zhi as he wandered through the garden several times. Gradually, fatigue began to overtake him, and drowsiness washed over him.
He made his way to Xishan Pavilion.
The pavilion had been thoroughly cleaned inside and out, spotless and pristine. The air carried a crisp, cool fragrance, reminiscent of ice and snow just beginning to melt.
Yet Yu Zhi felt increasingly restless.
There was no trace of that person here.
He turned and ordered, “Go. Bring Luo Tingshi’s clothes here.”
The attendants immediately obeyed. Before long, they returned to Xishan Pavilion carrying the garments. The emperor stood with his hands behind his back by the window. Hearing the commotion, he didn’t even turn his head as he said, “Place them all on the bed.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Once the task was completed and everyone withdrew to wait outside, Yu Zhi finally turned around.
He walked to the bedside, glanced at the neatly arranged garments, then raised his hand to cover his slightly twitching belly. He murmured a quiet scolding: “Alright, alright. Stop it. This is so annoying. Do you really want him here that badly?”
Resigned, Yu Zhi stepped onto the bed, picking up each garment and spreading them out. Taking a deep breath, he cradled his belly and lay down carefully among the clothes.
The garments had been starched and washed, retaining little lingering scent, but it was better than nothing.
Yu Zhi rubbed his cheek against the fabric, hugging it as he slowly drifted off to sleep.
–
Yu Zhi had a dream.
He dreamt he was in a grand, spacious palace, his hands and feet chained to the bed, unable to go anywhere.
Yu Zhi knew clearly he was dreaming.
He didn’t rush to find a way to escape, instead examining his surroundings with interest. Judging by the furnishings, it seemed to be the Sheng Kingdom.
As Yu Zhi pondered why he was having such a dream, a crisp, uniform voice suddenly pierced his ears.
“Your Majesty!”
Immediately, measured footsteps echoed through the vast, empty hall—strikingly similar to the first time he and Luo Ting had reunited.
The footsteps halted beside him. Just as Yu Zhi lifted his head, someone seized his jaw firmly, half-lifting him onto the bed.
Before Yu Zhi could utter a word, a deluge of kisses descended upon him.
Yu Zhi: “…”
Why does this routine persist even in my dreams?
Chains clinked and clanked as Yu Zhi was kissed again and again until his lips went numb. When the man finally released him, Yu Zhi complained.
“Could you be gentler? You’re like a starving wolf. My lips are nearly swollen from your kisses.”
Luo Tingshi’s gaze settled on his lips, his expression darkening. “Yu Zhi, you are now my prisoner. You are no longer an emperor.”
Yu Zhi: “…”
It must have been because Luo Tingshi had been whispering in his ear all day about imprisoning him that he had this dream.
He couldn’t shake the dream off just yet.
Yu Zhi felt utterly helpless, spreading his hands helplessly. “What do you want?”
“I want you.” The towering figure enveloped Yu Zhi….
Yu Zhi had thought he’d wake up after it ended, but he remained trapped in the dream. Luo Tingshi came for him every day, often holding him in a daze afterward.
He sensed the other’s disorientation and unease, finding it quite strange.
Luo Tingshi, this man who seemed untouchable, why was he like this? He no longer resembled a fierce wolf, but rather a small dog afraid of being abandoned by its master.
Luo Tingshi’s body stiffened slightly. He lifted his eyelids, which had been hiding his emotions beneath long lashes, and stared straight into Yu Zhi’s eyes. His voice was dry: “I want you to love me.”
Yu Zhi’s eyes snapped open.
The room was dim and empty. A cold wind swept in, billowing the gauze canopy above the bed. Yu Zhi got up, poured a cup of water, and gulped it down.
The cool liquid filled his stomach, yet it did nothing to quench the parched emptiness in his heart.
The image of those eyes lingered before Yu Zhi—those dark, intense eyes brimming with love.
Yu Zhi felt a wave of irritation wash over him.
A dull ache settled in his chest.
“Thud—”
Suddenly, a thunderous crash reverberated in Yu Zhi’s ears. Almost simultaneously, his lower abdomen was struck by a fierce kick, sending a dull, throbbing pain through him.
Yu Zhi hurriedly sat down, leaning on the table for support. He lowered his head, gently stroking his belly through his clothes, his voice soft and reassuring: “It’s okay, sweetheart. Don’t be afraid. Father is here.”
After a long while, the child finally stopped fussing.
Yu Zhi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with his sleeve before turning to look toward the source of the noise.
In the grassy area at the western corner of the courtyard, Yu Zhi could vaguely make out a thick tree branch. Behind it, a pine tree bent double under the fury of the storm, thunderous roars shaking the heavens and earth.
Whether struck by lightning or snapped by the gale remained unclear.
Leaves littered the ground, swirling wildly in the wind.
Though it was only the hour of You, the world outside seemed plunged into night—darkness so thick it was nearly impossible to see.
Another heavy rain was coming—no wonder his chest felt tight.
For the past month, torrential rains had frequently struck the counties near Gu Yue. Days ago, he had issued orders to the prefects of each county, instructing them to reinforce the dykes and temporarily relocate the people living in the mountain hollows to more open areas.
Thus, no severe disasters had yet struck the counties.
But he’d heard that Dengzhou, closer to Gu Yue, had suffered flooding—that was Sheng Kingdom territory.
Luo Ting… he…
“Knock knock!” A hurried knock sounded at the door.
Yu Zhi immediately called the person in. Behind Lu Jing followed a soldier clad in Sheng Kingdom armor. He was soaked through, dripping water onto the floor with a steady patter.
The soldier pulled a jade pendant from his robe, knelt on one knee, and presented it to Yu Zhi: “Flooding in Dengzhou. His Majesty rode out on a swift horse to inspect the disaster. The Emperor said he’ll return tomorrow and asked you not to worry.”
Yu Zhi took it and examined it—it was Luo Tingshi’s jade pendant.
He glanced at Lu Jing and said to the soldier, “I understand. Have someone bring you a change of clothes. Rest a while.”
The soldier withdrew.
“The wind is strong. Take care not to catch cold. I’ll close the windows for Your Majesty.” Lu Jing shut several windows in turn, then turned to light the lamps in the room.
The flickering candlelight cast a shadow of worry across Yu Zhi’s brow.
Lu Jing’s heart skipped a beat. “Your Majesty, are you troubled by Emperor Sheng?”
Yu Zhi lowered his eyes, his voice tinged with irritation. ” What business does an emperor have stirring up trouble in Dengzhou? What if… what if something happens? What will become of me and the child? He’s only five months old—he cannot be without his father’s care.”
Lu Jing replied, “Emperor Sheng is meticulous in his plans. He would never act rashly. Your Majesty, ease your mind. Do not fret so deeply.”
The candlelight cast two shadows beneath Yu Zhi’s eyes as it spilled across the long table. He snorted softly. “He didn’t even inform me before leaving. I should have given him an antidote to restore his martial arts—at least then he could evade danger if threatened.”
Lu Jing realized the Emperor wasn’t speaking to him.
He was addressing someone across the void.
Yu Zhi lifted his head: “I am well here. You may return.”
Lu Jing’s heart was filled with conflicting emotions. The Emperor did not need him now. Knowing his presence was useless, he bowed and withdrew.
A quarter of an hour later, the kitchen delivered the medicinal meal prepared by Physician Zhang.
Yu Zhi’s mind was preoccupied, leaving him without an appetite. But the two children couldn’t go hungry, so he forced himself to eat the medicinal meal before lying back down.
He spent the entire night awake.
The next day, Physician Zhang arrived to take the young emperor’s pulse. Upon entering, he immediately noticed the dark circles under the child’s eyes.
Well, a sleepless night.
Physician Zhang shook his head solemnly. “Your Majesty, I understand your concern for Luo Ting, but you cannot neglect your rest!”
Yu Zhi gave a bitter smile. “The two children kept me awake. Those little ingrates, always causing trouble.”
Doctor Zhang replied with inscrutable wisdom, “I see. So it wasn’t because Your Majesty was so worried about him that you couldn’t sleep.”
“How could that be?” Yu Zhi snapped, lifting his head abruptly. His expression turned slightly cold, tinged with anger. “He’s such a good-for-nothing. If it weren’t for the children needing him, I wouldn’t even think of him.”
Doctor Zhang stroked his beard. “Then I misunderstood.”
The young emperor straightened his back, his soft, rounded eyes now frosted with icy glare. “What did you misunderstand?” he demanded.
“Impossible!” Yu Zhi’s voice rang out, his expression sharp as never before.
Dr. Zhang understood. He smiled and said, “Your Majesty has not slept all night. You should rest now and not let anger consume you.”
He swiftly took the emperor’s pulse, prescribed medicine, and departed with his medicine chest and umbrella.
The room fell silent. Yu Zhi exhaled softly, gazing out at the curtain of rain. Torrential drops splashed into the mud, pooling into puddles. In a corner of the courtyard, a pine tree stood charred black—struck by lightning last night.
Yu Zhi silently wished for the rain to cease soon.
Yet Heaven did not grant his wish; the rain fell relentlessly all day.
By evening, Luo Ting still hadn’t returned. Yu Zhi climbed into bed with a cold expression, forcing himself to close his eyes and sleep.
The incessant patter of rain was maddeningly irritating.
Yu Zhi pressed a pillow over his ears. After much effort, drowsiness finally crept over him, and he drifted into a hazy slumber.
In that half-asleep state, a strange sensation spread through his body. He felt as if immersed in warm water, his limbs aching and limp. Until an unbearable wave of weakness abruptly yanked him from his slumber. Yu Zhi shuddered violently, tumbling into the man’s embrace.
A familiar, deep voice murmured in his ear.
“Before you left, did His Majesty still stand by what he said?”