A flash of white light erupted, and the figure in Luo Tingshi’s arms vanished in an instant, leaving only a pile of garments behind.
Luo Tingshi whistled in amazement, staring curiously at the pile of clothes.
A pair of fluffy ears poked out from the fabric. Soon after, a small white kitten squeezed its way out of the pile, nimbly leaping onto Luo Tingshi’s chest and settling down.
The little white cat looked down at Luo Tingshi from above, chin slightly raised. Its slightly pale lake-green eyes held a look of pride, its tone indifferent: “Do you like it, Luo Tingshi?”
Though phrased as a question, its tone clearly implied the answer was already decided.
Luo Tingshi adored this precious little feline. He scooped the kitten up, burying his face in its neck and inhaling deeply. “Xiao Yu, you’re the most beautiful kitten I’ve ever seen.”
“Of course I am, ah—”
“Meow-woo-huru-huru…”
The kitten purred contentedly as the man before him sniffed him adoringly, his high nose sliding inch by inch down the kitten’s neck. His other hand kept smoothing the fur, stroking from the back of the neck all the way to the tail, repeating the motion over and over.
Just as his nose was about to disappear into the hollow, the kitten swatted Luo Ting’s cheek, huffing indignantly, “Luo Ting, you pervert!”
Luo Ting calmly lifted his head, smiling serenely, “Didn’t Xiao Yu know all along?”
“Hmph!” The kitten glared at him. “Let go of this emperor.”
Luo Tingshi complied, setting the kitten down. It crouched on his chest, its lake-green eyes quietly surveying his face.
After a long while, it shifted forward, wrapping its front paws around Luo Tingshi’s neck. Its head pressed against his cheek, gently nuzzling him. Occasionally, it would extend its tiny pink tongue to give him a lick, its throat emitting soft, high-pitched meows.
“Your Majesty, are you trying to charm me?” Luo Tingshi curved his lips, gently pinching the kitten’s fluffy ears.
The kitten’s ears twitched slightly, its “meow” growing sweeter and softer.
Luo Tingshi stroked the kitten’s back gently as he spoke, “Your Majesty, I came here for two reasons: first, to see you, and second, to discuss our marriage. I wish to wed you as soon as possible—the sooner, the better.”
“How long do you plan to stay in Yu Kingdom this time? When will you return to Sheng Kingdom?” Yu Zhi asked him.
Luo Tingshi smiled. “I won’t be leaving this time. After setting the wedding date, I’ll stay in Yu Kingdom. When the day comes, we’ll marry directly.”
Yu Zhi lifted his eyes to look at him and gave a soft hum.
The man and cat held each other for a long while. Yu Zhi finally raised his head. “I should return to the palace.”
Luo Tingshi asked, “Your Majesty, may I request permission to reside within the palace?”
Yu Zhi hesitated. “I fear my father, the Emperor, will not consent.”
Luo Tingshi sat up, still holding the kitten, and kissed his forehead softly. “I will persuade him.”
Yu Zhi smiled and transformed back into human form.
Luo Tingshi’s breathing suddenly grew heavy. His eyes locked onto the naked body in his arms, his throat tightening. “You…”
The next moment, darkness suddenly engulfed his vision.
Yu Zhi raised his palm to cover Luo Tingshi’s eyes. “Don’t look at me.”
“Your Majesty, I wish to…”
“Impossible!” Yu Zhi cut him off decisively. “If I roll into bed with you the moment I see you, Father will scold me. Besides, we are not yet married. We cannot… we cannot do this.”
Yu Zhi swiftly removed his own hairband, covering Luo Tingshi’s eyes and tying it tightly.
He felt a sudden chill.
The moment his hands moved away, he saw Luo Tingshi’s slightly reddened eyes, filled with greedy desire, like a beast ready to devour him.
Yu Zhi couldn’t help but worry for himself. If they truly went to bed together, Luo Tingshi would likely wear him out completely.
While fretting, he quickly changed his clothes, tore the hairband from Luo Tingshi’s eyes, and prepared to re-tie his own hair.
Luo Tingshi stopped Yu Zhi with a faint smile. “Let me tie your hair for you.”
At this moment, the animalistic desire had vanished from Luo Tingshi’s eyes. The gaze he cast upon Yu Zhi was gentle and serene, as if that momentary intensity had been nothing more than Yu Zhi’s own illusion.
Yu Zhi handed him the ribbon.
They stepped down from the bed. Yu Zhi sat before the mirror while Luo Tingshi meticulously arranged his hair from behind. Their reflections in the mirror resembled a divine couple.
Yu Zhi gazed at the mirrored image, overcome by a wave of emotion.
Who would have thought, after all these twists and turns, it would still be Luo Tingshi.
When he said he hated Luo Tingshi, it was merely resentment—resentment toward himself for offering his heart to Luo Tingshi, only to have it trampled into dust.
That day, waking up in Luo Tingshi’s palace, he felt more peace than anger or fear.
Thankfully, it was Luo Tingshi.
It was the Luo Tingshi he’d once loved as a child, not someone else.
Yet he hadn’t expected Luo Tingshi to care so deeply for the man he’d shared a night with—even if that man was himself.
When he loved Luo Tingshi, Luo Tingshi didn’t love him. He slept with Luo Tingshi once, and now Luo Tingshi cared about him?
Luo Tingshi shouldn’t be such a shallow person.
Listening to his subordinate’s report, Yu Zhi felt gloomy. The more Luo Tingshi cared about him, the more effort he put into searching for him, the more unhappy Yu Zhi became.
Was his genuine affection truly less valuable than a moment of carnal pleasure?
It wasn’t until they reunited that Luo Tingshi revealed the truth to him.
Learning that Luo Tingshi had recognized him before their intimate encounter, and cared for him before they were together, not after.
Truthfully, he had already forgiven Luo Tingshi.
After all this tangled confusion, Yu Zhi finally understood his own heart.
He simply liked Luo Tingshi.
He had liked him since childhood.
“Luo Tingshi,” Yu Zhi called out to the reflection in the mirror.
Luo Tingshi looked up at the peach-blossom mirror on the table, meeting the gaze of the man reflected within. His eyes clouded with worry as his movements grew gentler. “Did I hurt you?”
Yu Zhi: “Hurry. Let’s return to the palace sooner. I want to tell them—”
Yu Zhi tilted his head back, a smile playing in his eyes. “I want to marry you.”
–
Yu Heng’s face was as still as water.
His gaze swept over the two kneeling before him. When it passed beneath their wide sleeves to the hands secretly clasped together, his expression darkened abruptly, his countenance growing even more grim.
A finger jabbed at him. “Your son has fallen head over heels in love.”
Yu Heng turned back with resignation, gazing at his beloved beside him, whose almond-shaped eyes curved in a smile. He murmured, “Aren’t you worried? Xiao Yu is even more innocent than you. He’s no match for Luo Tingshi. Besides, does he truly love that boy? I doubt it.”
“Hey, hey, I’m quite sharp, you know? “ Ye Jiang shot Yu Heng a glare. ”Xiao Yu is my son. How could I not know? He genuinely adores Luo Tingshi. And so what if he’s no match for him? Luo Tingshi willingly bows to Xiao Yu anyway—just like you did. I don’t get why you’re overthinking this nonsense.”
Yu Heng’s gaze darkened slightly. “How could I be the same as him? No one can surpass my love for you.”
Ye Jiang’s mouth twitched. “Yu Heng, have you no shame?”
…
Luo Tingshi secretly hooked his fingers into Yu Zhi’s palm, glancing up at the pair. Yu Zhi returned a helpless look.
There was nothing to be done—he’d long grown accustomed to his two fathers flaunting their affection at every turn.
Yu Zhi wrapped his little finger around Luo Tingshi’s, giving it a gentle tug as his eyes curved into crescent moons.
Luo Tingshi froze, utterly captivated by those smiling eyes. He clasped Yu Zhi’s hand tighter and pulled him closer.
Yu Zhi’s round eyes widened abruptly. He glanced upward, signaling to Luo Tingshi—
Father and the others are still here. Don’t do anything rash!
Luo Tingshi closed his eyes, took a few breaths, and opened them again, his gaze clear once more. He gave Yu Zhi a reassuring smile, tracing gentle circles on the back of his hand with his thumb.
Don’t worry, I won’t do anything.
Suddenly, Ye Jiang’s voice echoed from above: “I consent to your marriage. I shall instruct the Astronomical Bureau to select an auspicious date. You may withdraw now.”
Upon hearing this, Yu Zhi and Luo Tingshi exchanged a startled glance before bowing in joyful gratitude: “Thank you, Father, for your blessing.”
Yu Heng turned to watch their retreating figures, hand in hand, leaving the hall. His gaze grew cold, his expression displeased. “I haven’t given my consent yet. How dare you let them leave?”
“They’re my children. Don’t I have the right to decide for them?” “ Ye Jiang placed her hands on her hips, her delicate brows furrowed. ”Absence makes the heart grow fonder. After so long apart, I let the young couple go downstairs to reconnect. What’s wrong with that? Are you going to hold me accountable?”
Yu Heng quickly wrapped his arms around Ye Jiang’s waist, soothingly saying, “Not at all, not at all. Don’t be upset…”
–
Sunshine bathed the garden, warm breezes stirred, and spring’s vitality filled the air.
Yu Zhi’s mood was as bright as the spring sun. His steps were light as he walked forward, hand in hand with Luo Tingshi. Mid-stride, he turned back and flashed Luo Tingshi a smile.
“The two babies are in the Zhaoyang Hall. I’ll take you to see them.”
The youth’s smile outshone the spring sunshine. Luo Tingshi strode forward swiftly, pressing a light kiss upon Yu Zhi’s lips.
Yu Zhi blinked in flustered surprise, darting a hurried glance around. All palace attendants held their breath, heads bowed, eyes fixed on the stone path.
“Don’t kiss me in public like that,” Yu Zhi murmured, leaning closer to Luo Tingshi, a hint of irritation in his voice.
Luo Tingshi’s voice was low and deep: “I wanted to do this in the Yunzhong Hall.”
Yu Zhi: “Even if you wanted to, you can’t! You may only kiss me when we’re alone.”
Luo Tingshi suddenly understood. “I see.” He turned to the surrounding palace attendants and commanded, “All of you, withdraw. His Majesty and I have urgent matters to discuss.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The attendants hurriedly departed.
Soon, only they remained amidst the garden’s spring splendor.
Luo Tingshi wrapped his arms around Yu Zhi’s waist. “No one’s here now. Can we kiss?”
Yu Zhi: “…”
He gritted his teeth, resentfully muttering, “You dismissed everyone. What else could I say?”
“Your Majesty could have stopped us. After all, you are the ruler of Yu Kingdom. They would naturally heed your words more. But you didn’t…” Luo Tingshi lowered his voice, his warm breath brushing against Yu Zhi’s ear. “Your Majesty wanted this too, didn’t you?”
Yu Zhi snorted, glancing at Luo Tingshi. “You sly fox…”
His words were swallowed by a kiss.
–
Zhaoyang Hall.
Imperial Physician Zhang was examining the two kittens when hurried footsteps echoed through the chamber.
Turning, he saw His Majesty and Luo Tingshi entering hand in hand.
He bowed and reported, “Your Majesty, the young prince and princess are remarkably robust. Their weight has increased significantly these past two days. They likely won’t be far from transforming.”
Yu Zhi smiled faintly. “Doctor Zhang, kindly instruct someone to prepare meals for them. We’ll take care of things here.”
Doctor Zhang withdrew discreetly.
“Let’s go see them,” Yu Zhi said to Luo Tingshi.
Luo Tingshi’s breath caught slightly as he stepped toward the cradle. Two tiny white kittens instantly caught his eye.
“Meow~”
“Meow~”
As if recognizing their father’s scent, the two kittens stopped grooming each other. With clumsy steps, they stumbled toward Luo Tingshi, meowing wildly at him.
The two little kittens bore an uncanny resemblance to the one he had seen earlier—they were practically miniature versions of Yu Zhi.
Luo Tingshi gently scooped up the two kittens. The little rascals scrambled excitedly onto his arm, climbing up his sleeve. Luo Tingshi hurriedly raised his arm to shield them, flustered and fumbling.
Yu Zhi stood nearby, doubled over with laughter.
This, then, was the home he had longed for and envisioned.