Shui Lian himself was not really a likable person, or obviously he'd be the talk of Peony Palace. Rumors were that he was an eunuch and the Cruel Prince had him castrated, but no one knows.

Kai Yin visited twice in the last two months, which was already rare for Shui Lian. He had expected it to be a once in a lifetime thing as Kai Yin ran away the moment he disrobed, but Shui Lian definitely saw his eyes roam around his body.

He liked being mean, and being mean to the girls, Lady Ran, and Kai Yin made him feel a bit happier.

Shui Lian was not always that way, it was after his family was killed. Lady Ran, middle aged but once a courtesan of Peony Palace herself, was always telling Shui Lian and the girls to be happy with what they had, how girls outside would die to be them.

Shui Lian asked if he could die to get out instead.

While Lady Ran always remained stern to him, he had some comrades. Two girls also spoke to him when he first joined, the way girls visited each other's rooms after dark. They also told him how they hated the brothel and how lost brethren, too.

Ai and Miao were pretty themselves, with Ai nineteen and Miao seventeen.

Ai had a big bosom and uniquely deep set eyes, a tall nose, and brown skin that caught eyes. Miao was deathly pale but she was desirable when younger, and even when her face turned from men it them desire her more. She was perhaps the prettiest on the floor.

The third floor had their own group, and of course, they held the high ranking woman, not only pretty but witty and of higher status. They only knew of the top three, Bai He was the Prince's current favorite, while Mei Yue and Feng Hua were also the Crown Prince's playthings.

They were rumored to become his consorts once he became Emperors and waited eagerly. Consorts lived in the inner palace with the Queen consort as well as the wives and consorts of the other princes. Jin Long was behind his brothers in getting a consort even though he was thirty and visited Peony Palace regularly.

On the other hand, Jin Long and Shaka Lan still had no progress, and it was expected that his first daughter or son would have a mother as a concubine. Then, most likely, she would would be the first official consort.

But here, right now, all Ai and Miao wanted was to know how Prince Kai Yin was.

"How was he in bed? You can be honest," Ai teased, obviously thinking they had another steamy night. Ai stopped. "Are you feeling fine, Shui Lian? Is it something I shouldn't ask about?"

"No," Shui Lian said.

Why was he feeling this way? To prevent being thought as a man to the girls he was usually open about nights men were with him, and how infertile he was. But somehow, now, he wanted to keep Kai Yin and his nights a secret.

"How's his personality?" Miao asked, playing with Ai's hands on the table, maybe in an attempt to make her less uncomfortable about Shui Lian's lack of response.

"The Prince—the Fifth Prince—is awfully dishonest. He has burden on his shoulders but he pretends everything is fine. He tries to converse with me but when I'm cold he gets nervous, and yet he still keeps conversing. The fool doesn't get I'm ignoring him."

Shui Lian felt more pissed off, why did Kai Yin visit again? He was so pretentious. It was obvious he was attracted to girls, not him.

Miao and Ai made eye contact.

"You do scare people off when you're so blunt," Ai said. "Remember when we were first friends? Two years ago, you told Lady Ran you wanted to die. You tried to die, too."

"You stopped your attempts, though. I suppose for you it's different, you don't have a future here." Miao's hands pulled away from Ai's. "Only we bear children and have a chance of being wed to generals or be given to neighboring kingdoms."

"I wouldn't want that future anyway," Shui Lian said sharply. He turned around, thinking of his town.

He, too, wanted a future once. He had a younger sister he played with, and nights she couldn't sleep he'd make up stories until she fell asleep. Shui Lian remembered that at times, her soft hand holding his as she drifted into a deep sleep.

"I don't know, I envy you. Fifth Prince is coming tomorrow night, Lady Ran told us to tell you," Miao said.

Miao and Ai played xiangqi in Shui Lian's place, and he watched aimlessly. It was so boring. How did people in the court, the wives and consorts, stand this?

Falling asleep, he woke up to another day, only this night Kai Yin would come.

***

Shui Lian was prepared by Lady Ran against his choice, soaked in jasmine bath, wrapped up in fancy blue robes with matching jade and accessories usually meant for girls.

His loose hair was kept loose, though, because he was neither female nor male, and they thought he looked better like that. Lady Ran even prepared oils in little vials and some strange ointment smelling of cinnamon or nutmeg.

Shui Lian's status had risen although it didn't make him happy at all.

Without wasting time, Kai Yin came as soon as the sun set.

This time he was in his official robes, robes with an outer gown and sash. His hair was up and tied behind him.

He opened the door and once he stepped into Peony Palace girls all chorused,

"Welcome, my lord!"

"I welcome you, Prince Kai Yin!" Lady Ran said, beaming. "Would you like to see a girl, or Shui Lian once again?"

Usually ladies were referred as Lady Ai or Lady Miao, but Shui Lian had no title.

Kai Yin, who was actually going to make his arrival a bit more discreet found all the girls peeking in interest. Now they thought for certain he was gay they wanted to see the forbidden romance.

Already having made his decision Kai Yin said, only a bit embarrassed, "I will see Shui Lian tonight."

"I'll show you to his bedchamber then," Lady Ran said. This time more alcohol and snacks were prepared, even small rice cakes and herbal jelly.

Kai Yin found the place the same but the girls were squealing, as such loyal men were rare, especially a Prince of all!

Shui Lian looked up, the outer dark blue layer of his robe falling to his elbows, and he wore it as a shawl of some sort over his inside robe.

"How do I look?" Shui Lian asked, voice flat.

Kai Yin noted his lips were painted and face powdered, and withholding awe, Kai Yin nodded. "It's not bad."

"So? Would you like me to lift your spirits or just pour you a drink without words?"

"I thought of an idea," Kai Yin said. "Follow me outside."

Shui Lian snorted.

"Do I look like a dog?"

"Yes, a very adorable one at that," Kai Yin said. He saw Shui Lian's eyes dart away in surprise and was pleased at himself for not being pushed away this time. "Now follow me."

Kai Yin opened the door and when Shui Lian stood there, he grabbed his hand to almost drag him out of his room.

"Lady Ran," Kai Yin called, "I will be bringing Shui Lian outside Peony Palace, is that acceptable?"

Lady Ran was obviously taken aback. She gave both looks and then nodded hesitantly.

"Whatever you please, Prince Kai Yin." She bowed as they walked through the first floor girls were watching, whispering with smiles, and Kai Yin smiled at them.

"It's a nice night, isn't it?" Kai Yin said, and girls nodded, biting back grins. They looked at Shui Lian as though congratulating him.

Shui Lian wasn't interested to where Kai Yin would bring him, but he couldn't help wonder. The inner court with the girls? No, that was impossible. To see the court physician? Maybe the fortune teller? See what was wrong with him?

When they left the Peony Palace Kai Yin sighed.

He released Shui Lian's hand now he couldn't run away and looked up at the sky.

"It really is a beautiful night. A bright moon, a sky painted with stars. Most of all, a view even prettier." Kai Yin looked at Shui Lian. He thought of how when Shui Lian didn't say mean things, he was quite his type.

As Kai Yin nodded in satisfaction, Shui Lian looked up at the stars. It was a view he hadn't seen from such a nice place, although it was only in the garden of Peony Palace.

Shui Lian had been living in such a small world, such a confined room. Looking at Kai Yin, he thought of how when Kai Yin didn't speak, he could be a suitable friend.