Kai Yin felt suspicious when Wei Jiang asked if he was seeing Shui Lian.

"I know you want to stop me but I cannot let you forbade me from going!" Kai Yin immediately began to beg, but Wei Jiang shook his head.

"Listen, Prince Kai Yin, there are people spreading rumors about you and Shui Lian. If this continues Dianxia will send him far away. I have a proposition."

As Wei Jiang said his proposal Kai Yin went through an array of emotions, confusion, disgust, acceptance, and doubt. All in all, as the flame of the candle waned, Kai Yin was too desperate to refused and nodded.

"This ensures you and Shui Lian will see each other regularly, but you most follow this plan for a long time, it's not just a month or so. I'll need you to do it for me." Wei Jiang held Kai Yin's hand, and squeezed it. "Because your happiness is my happiness."

Outwardly Wei Jiang was a looker but always wore a solemn face, always no-nonsense with Kai Yin, leading people to think he was a puppet bodyguard. In fact, in the beginning that was it, the Emperor and Wei Jiang had secret meetings maybe once or twice a year, but there were no secrets he had to hide, but he knew one day, Kai Yin would have a will of his own.

As they cleaned the pavilion last year Wei Jiang felt scared he would have to begin to plan for this double life, and was brainstorming even at camp. Now, finally, the despised Emperor had done it—but he also helped Wei Jiang with the last puzzle.

As the two walked to Peony Palace, Kai Yin dressed up in bright purple, he passed by each guard and addressed them as they each bowed. He was flaunting it and soon maids gathered and watched as the man left his wife of a week already!

Wei Jiang also stayed behind a little to ask the servants to prepare what they want, a lot of alcohol, confectionary snacks, duck, boor, and hot soup.

In the darkness of Peony Palace with no guards Kai Yin knocked loudly and asked for Lady Ran, putting on a show.

Lady Ran hurried to open the door and pulled him in, then scolding him for being so loud and asked Wei Jiang if he was drunk.

"No, I'm not, good Lady Ran."

"I'm glad you arrived from war safely, as you may have heard Jin Long was furious with Shui Lian, Prince Kai Yin," Lady Ran faltered.

"I heard." Kai Yin looked down. "However someone I trust had given me orders, and I want you to call what girls you can to join us here for a banquet.

On the first floor there was a large banquet table but most times girls sat there idling or teaching each other how to read or write, and in the corners instruments sat without players.

"Oh, no! Prince Kai Yin, I don't have enough alcohol nor food! I'll prepare them right away—"

"No, it's time." Kai Yin turned behind him and opened the doors to the steps.

Wei Jiang walked in, having maids from the main palace carry food there, and they seemed out of place with her drab servant clothing. They lined up as the girls all heard the fuss and hurried there. There was a number before Kai Yin leaned down.

"Lady Ran, please tell Shui Lian to dress as a girl and come out, as his friends Lady Ai and Lady Miao, and other girls who don't often see guests to join."

Lady Ran ran back to call for them.

Kai Yin wondered what he should say to Shui Lian—how he felt about his wedding? Ask him about what he said to anger The Cruel Prince? Talk about happy things? Say he had a reason for the banquet?

The food on the table were decorated with garnish and steaming hot. His stomach rumbled. The girls in charge of instruments began to play and the slow, soft singing of a girl joined as she walked into the room.

"She's a great singer, that Yu Deng!"

"Why is she putting on a show now?"

In fact, Yu Deng sang on impulse, because she was familiar with the song of the Sparrow, but once she saw Kai Yin she stopped. She was dressed without a shawl or anything special and ignored how the girls were already giggling and telling her to continue.

Shui Lian appeared and Yu Deng turned to him, his makeup strange and yet pretty, but then Kai Yin ran to him before her eyes.

People watched, already knowing Shui Lian and the Fifth Prince were like star-crossed lovers like the characters in the novels they read. More girls joined and barely gave them a glance, going straight for the food.

The two whispered.

"Hear me out, Shui Lian. Let's go to the second floor."

"Of course, your highness." Shui Lian was choking back the words he wanted to say, and as they walked up the stairs he felt the brush of Kai Yin's hands and his chest pulled.

Whether it was a farewell or an apology, Shui Lian thought, he would accept it and forgive Kai Yin. It was not his fault his status and fate made their lives miserable, but he would tell him before he left that he cared for him. That he was glad Kai Yin returned from war unharmed. That he was genuinely grateful he had given his world color.

As they reached an empty hallway, overlooking the girls and banquet downstairs, Shui Lian turned. He looked up at Kai Yin and his lips parted, but Kai Yin spoke.

"You must have heard, I'm married," he whispered.

"Yes—your highness," Shui Lian couldn't meet his eyes.

"It's all a misunderstanding!" Kai Yin spoke in a rush. "It sounds like an excuse, I know. Shui Lian, let me just say this, I understand it now—"

"I love you," the two said in unison.

Girls were bustling down the stairs and talking and there, and along with the calming music that played, Shui Lian finally met Kai Yin's face, then his eyes, and reached out.

Kai Yin didn't hesitate to hold his hand and they intertwined hands slowly and without words, and Shui Lian felt the warm breath of Kai Yin.

"I am thankful to see you alive, even if wedded." Shui Lian smiled, finally able to say all that he held in. "Ever since you left, I learned more about things I like, rather than dislike."

"Me too," Kai Yin whispered. "I like seeing your rare smile. I like talking to villagers and convincing them to give up without sacrificing a life. I like not having to kill people, although we did wound some. I like the memories we have and look forward to the memories we are having—"

"I like this, most of all." Shui Lian looked up, his eyes somehow now lit with the desire of life. "You've returned, no matter a banquet or a visit."

He chuckled softly, turning to see the feast they had. The palace servants had left so Kai Yin was closer to Shui Lian.

"I want to talk to you about serious things, too," Kai Yin said. He looked down and Shui Lian released his grip on Kai Yin's hand and pulled away, ashamed of himself.

"Yes, I will respect what choice you make," Shui Lian lord, suddenly aware of their situation. Love wasn't the main point. Now Kai Yin would say this was goodbye, how it was a farewell banquet, how he would be loyal to his wife—

"I'll be at Peony Palace to see you at least once a week, if not more. There are enemies who could hurt you if they know I love you."

Shui Lian felt his knees grow weak and Kai Yin reached awkwardly for his hand again.

"So Wei Jiang and I made a plan." Kai Yin repeated what Wei Jiang planned out. "I'll leave Princess Kana and go and pretend to seek out another girl in Peony Palace and stay over for some nights. It'll usually be like this, or I might sit with a few to confuse any spies—but I don't love them."

"I don't mind!" Shui Lian was fast to reassure him, the answer much better than he was expecting.

"Would you feel strange to invite your friends? I figured I can speak to them and you at the same place without anyone realizing you are the one I have my eye on," Kai Yin said. "If, only if you allow me, may I spend nights in your bedchamber?"

Shui Lian put a cool hand on Kai Yin's cheek, reached up and gliding those cool finger lightly over his ears, jawline, then lips. Kai Yin snuggled into his touches.

"You said you love me—in this way, right?" Shui Lian asked.

"I stand before you not as a prince or anyone whose order you will heed to, and I haven't told Lady Ran, even. Choose, Shui Lian. You have the freedom to live as you wish."

Shui Lian pushed his body into Kai Yin, pushing them further into the dark hallway without peeping eyes, and kissed him.

Shui Lian kissed him deeply, lips sucking at each other like they were dripped with honey or nectar, and eventually soft moans escaped from Shui Lian as Kai Yin pushed his tongue into his mouth, something Shui Lian had never experienced.

He had had unpleasant memories of his time serving Peony Palace so he never thought back but now he did, he realized he had never kissed those pigs' lips, he always clamped his lips tight and wiped their saliva off.

Now, with Kai Yin, he had his first true kiss of passion, and it was so strange—he hadn't expected to let out such a wanton sound that Shui Lian pulled back in embarrassment.

Then he saw Kai Yin adjust his robes with a guilty face, Shui Lian realized Kai Yin was aroused.

It was too shocking, and his embarrassment seemed much smaller in comparison as Kai Yin turned his body away. He usually took a lot of time to get erect but he hadn't released anything during the grueling war and after his marriage.

He didn't want to cheat on Princess Kana but he had no explanation. He was scum, through and through—but when he looked back and Shui Lian began to whisper in his ears he couldn't refuse.

They slipped away from everyone into Shui Lian's room.

"What should I do? How do I do this?"

"Strip me slowly, sensually, and lay me on my bed," Shui Lian spoke, not in teasing but teaching. He closed his eyes and listed all the bold things he wanted Kai Yin to do to him.

Without refusing, Kai Yin hungrily did as he wanted, but Shui Lian's hands that slide across his erection made it hot and ready for release.

Kai Yin threw off his robes and undid his pants. The room had a small candle and for the first time, Kai Yin was conscious of his member. He wanted to hide it, but Shui Lian reached out, the pink of his tongue and mouth visible as he devoured Kai Yin.