The Fifth Prince, generally referred to as Prince Kai Yin or Lord Kai Yin, was not an outstanding prince by any means. Compared to the Cruel Prince, though, none of the princes were of much power.

The Crown Prince, whose real name was Jin Long, was thirty, set to be Emperor once the current Emperor, his father, takes his last breath. Kai Yin was ten years younger at twenty and the sixth prince, his brother, was fifteen.

Kai Yin had been bothered through their talks about which lands to conquer and couldn't quite meet the Cruel Prince's eyes. Jin Long only ever invited his brothers to war proposals and plans to make them feel as useless as usual.

Second Prince proved no use with his bad tactics, Third Prince usually called out of meetings to sleep with girls, sometimes from Peony Palace, sometimes his own women. Fourth Prince was dedicated to his wife and his consort, as well as his two daughters, and only Kai Yin was empty without anything.

Sixth Prince was absent and no one blamed him—fifteen was the age to still learn from tutors and he wasn't needed with Jin Long's accomplishments anyways.

No one was really needed.

"...As I said earlier, I want to reach the port at least, it will provide to be useful for defense as well as trading. We currently trade with Yindu Kindom but the area around the road our merchants are using enters other kingdoms."

As always, a map of the general areas were made, and Jin Long was off in his world, moving the block pieces in ways Kai Yin only vaguely understand.

The advisors were building off his plan with excitement.

"How about the army being divided like this, your highness? As it is the port city they might be pushed back when we come from three directions."

"Numbers will diminish," Jin Long said. "I need part of the army ready for the trade route."

"Is it possible to wait until the army has rested and replenished, Eldest Brother?" Kai Yin couldn't help asking. The princes, advisors, and most of all, Jin Long stared at him in something akin to disgust.

"Do you know how important this is—" Jin Long spoke.

"It's important for the soldiers to go home and be with their family, for them to be strong and ready before every mission, would you not agree?" Kai Yin countered.

Jin Long's face twitched and he narrowed his eyes at Kai Yin. The two were more than different: Kai Yin towered a few inches over his brother and was well built, while Jin Long was more skinny, and although he exceeded at planning, he would most likely not beat Kai Yin in a sword fight.

Due to their differences Jin Long came to every meeting adorned heavily, with a headpiece and robe thick with embroidery to make it clear who was really future Emperor.

Kai Yin grimaced, knowing he overstepped.

"Or so I think, but I'm not a military genius as you are, Eldest Brother, forgive my imprudence."

Eyes darted between them, and Jin Long looked away without giving a forgiveness.

"The plans should be carried out within a year, I trust our soldiers can push the port city back within six months or less, and for the rest...."

***

Kai Yin thought of returning to Peony Palace, to see a pretty girl, have a drink and chat leisurely. Yet every time he thought of it he was reminded of Shui Lian.

He groaned softly to himself as he took his walk and stepped on the fall leaves.

Shui Lian's face was unforgettable, but something about him was similar in Kai Yin. That feeling of being so quiet, wanting to not exist in a world of hardships and war made Kai Yin think, 'Oh, he's not that different from me.'

Kai Yin found himself walking to Peony Palace again, and wondering if he should've sent a messenger to tell Lady Ran earlier crossed his mind.

He knew he'd be sent to Shui Lian again, as the generals were going there regularly. It was one of the only reasons soldiers worked hard, apparently. If they had notable conquests they would become generals and get a wife or at least play with some girls in Peony Palace.

Peony Palace was a large part of the outer court, with three floors, private rooms down the line of the palace. The first floor was just a guesthouse while the second and third floor held the women and their bedchambers. In some private chambers on the third floor held the best view and had Jin Long's favorite concubines.

Unlike the other princes, he didn't keep a concubine with him. Jin Long had married a princess, also future Empress, Shaka Lan, named after a Buddhist goddess. Yet he was never in her bedchamber after they had their son and heir.

Rumors said the two didn't get along, and it was sort of accepted, as Shaka Lan was devoted to praying in temples and gave out as much gold needed for charity. Sure, Shaka Lan was popular with the common people, and they did call her a goddess, but that didn't mean she'd win Jin Long's love.

On the other hand, all of Peony Palace was the prince's "women".

Kai Yin reached the exit and strangely, it was quiet.

"It's I, Prince Kai Yin."

Lady Ran and two other maids hurried out of a room.

"Oh, Prince Kai Yin! Tonight is a splendid night, the generals are not visiting and the moon is bright. Which girl would owe you the pleasure of this trip?" Lady Ran greeted, gesturing to all the girls that had rushed to step out from their rooms.

There were giggles, childlike and playful. Girls brought forth their delicate hair accessories, their best brightest robe, and gently smiled.

"Oh, Prince Kai Yin, I've never had the delight of seeing you!"

"Do spend a night with me, I'm bored to death!"

"How dare you say such things to the Fifth Prince!" Lady Ran clicked her tongue before peering up. "Do see if any of these brats are worthy of your visit."

Kai Yin's eyes flitted across the faces and accessories. They were no doubt popular, some girls wearing outfits of their tribes, other girls with faces unlike them and probably were there because of their exoticism, which was typical of his eldest brother.

The thought suddenly made Kai Yin sad, despite the smiling faces looking shyly at him behind doors.

These girls, as well as Shui Lian, were ripped from families and friends. Maybe even lovers. One can say they should be grateful they were spared death, but was being used for their body night after night any better?

The Cruel Prince.

Kai Yin finally understood, and his eyes reached the edge of the corridor on the second floor, where there was only a railing and the two floors weren't divided. Shui Lian did not appear.

"This is Lady Tao Hua, she's excellent at brewing tea. And this is Lady Xiao Yang, and this is Lady Qi An. Of course there's also the second floor, if you would like to see others, Your Highness."

Kai Yin wanted to run to that last door and kick on it, shout for Shui Lian until he came out and looked at him.

"He has too much pride," Kai Yin muttered.

Or did he? He was so ready to give up his body that night. Then again, maybe Shui Lian didn't mind such things.

But he didn't want that. He didn't want Shui Lian offering his body like that to every men who came to his room.

Peony Palace was a whorehouse but—but Shui Lian had given up not his body. He had given up his soul.

"I'll have to ask for Shui Lian."

Despite Kai Yin's declaration, the door at the end of the hall didn't open. Girls all sighed and closed the room to their door, retreat into a shell, but that door just wouldn't open.

Why?

Lady Ran ran upstairs with Kai Yin following. She was saying something but Kai Yin couldn't hear it as he climbed the stairs. When he finally reached the room and gulped, Lady Ran ran out of patience and opened the door.

Shui Lian there, but his head was on the table. He was napping from the rise and fall of his body.

"He's asleep?" Kai Yin whispered.

"I apologize deeply, it's just our Shui Lian is not used to visitors, so he sleeps at night. Let's find you a girl, had any of them caught your eye? I can introduce them again..."

Kai Yin watched his breathing and felt rather reassured. He shook his head to Lady Ran's proposal.

"I'll come another day then, don't worry, Lady Ran." She wrung her hands at the pediment and then clapped her hands.

"I'll wake him up!" she finally walked into his room and shook him roughly. "Fifth Prince is here to see you! Wake up, wake up!"

Kai Yin couldn't help smiling as Shui Lian stirred then lifted his head, eyelids opening like a robe falling off, revealing more beauty. His eyes were dark like the night, but the stars were there, reflections of the candlelight.

"Now I'll get leaving and prepare alcohol and snacks."

Shui Lian's expression was stern, as though he was blaming Kai Yin for arriving. Kai Yin also felt he had a fault in choosing him again at such bad timing, but sat down simply.

"The girls all came to ask me about you, sir," Shui Lian said.

Kai Yin felt a bit strange to hear it, as he was now known as the gay prince the girls probably won't ask to hear anymore.

"What did you tell them?" Kai Yin teased.

"I said you and I did it." Shui Lian smirked a little, and it changed his face.

The sad, usually solemn sadness was now turned into mischievousness and it gave Shui Lian life in his eyes.

"Glad to hear it, now they'll never ask for me," Kai Yin said, pretending to be saddened.

Two servants girls came in to prepare the same as last time. Alcohol, cups, and a platter of dates, peanuts, and fruits. The left and the door closed quietly behind them. Kai Yin waited but decided to pour the drinks himself, again.

"And I told them you finished after a few seconds," Shui Lian suddenly added.

Now Kai Yin's reputation really was gone. Was it revenge on Shui Lian's side for running away? Well, Kai Yin had came to Peony Palace, what did he expect?

"I've never done it with a man, I have to admit," Kai Yin muttered.

He had rarely done it with women, either. He went to Peony Palace before, but he had only liked one woman enough to do it, and even then, he was seventeen and a virgin. After she left he went again but most nights he only spoke and flirted with girls.

There was silence before Kai Yin itched to ask, How many times have you done it—with a man? He decided the answer would upset him more than Shui Lian so he kept his mouth shut.

"Why are you not close with the other girls?" Kai Yin asked instead.

"You are sure full of questions, my lord." Shui Lian ate a dried date absentmindedly. "I'm not a girl. I'm also not a man."

"What do you mean by such words?"

"You should think for yourself what I mean by such words, my lord."

Although irritating, Kai Yin admired his face and this time, muted purple robes that suited him perfectly. Shui Lian took a small and casual sip of alcohol, a drop tracing his chin before he wiped it.

"Promise me you'll keep yourself clothed when I see you," Kai Yin ordered instead. "I wanted to talk, not to make love."

Shui Lian leaned on the palm of his head, looking at Kai Yin with slight amusement.

"You're so idealistic."

The word hit home. Kai Yin pulled muscles in his face in order to not frown. It was the word Jin Long and Kai Yin's father threw at him every day.

His plans for peace were idealistic, to be a small and content country was idealistic, to be a Prince who wanted true love was idealistic—

The very word idealistic was what most people would use to describe Kai Yin: he had romanticized life so much that when it hit him in the face, his muscles, and even status as a Prince didn't matter.

"Oh, you didn't like that word." Shui Lian observed how Kai Yin had fallen quiet and his face was particularly strained. "I'm sorry, my lord."

Unable to console him, Shui Lian poured another cup of alcohol for him, and Kai Yin drank it, the mood desolate once again.