Lang Yuan was surprised when the emperor suddenly gave him the freedom to roam around. Well, it's not really 'giving him freedom' but "ordering" him to play around and have some fun. He was suspicious by this sudden notion wondering if the emperor got sick. He was a bit hesitant to accept and argued to remain resting on his room. But would the emperor let him do it?

After a few words, Lang Yuan was actually kicked out from his room. After the emperor made his verdict, the servants quickly dressed the empress. Since Lang Yuan is male it is pretty obvious that his clothes would also be the same. However, he noticed the 'simplicity' of his clothes. It wasn't trimmed with gold but the fabric is still pretty high class. A peony was embroidered on the white cloth with a few waves of clouds beautifully mixed.

His hair that usually tied in a pony tail was also changed. The servants are pretty nimble, combing and braiding his hair shorter, draping the wonderful auburn like a waterfall on his back. The beautiful weaving-like pattern made the straight hair surreal as if the hair is really imitating a waterfall. The servants added a few pins here and there, decorating his hair in a simple yet majestic manner.

After giving the Empress a makeover, the servants kicked their young master out. Lang Yuan was surprised when he was suddenly out of his room and rushed back to pound on the door. He goes 'bam bam bam!' but the door is sturdy and the servants made sure to lock it very tight. Lang Yuan, with no hope of return, admitted defeat. He helplessly turned around to wander away from the 'ruthless' people.

Lang Yuan does not hate going out but he prefer staying on his room. He still has his anxiety problems and it can't be cured that easily even if he made a few public performances. In all of those occasion, Lang Yuan is really stressed out. He made a lot of preparations just to calm his self. It takes a lot of effort to have the strength of facing people despite his anxiety. If possible, he would avoid getting out of trouble and stay on a place where he is comfortable.

He's not performing anything or doing any errands so Lang Yuan is planning to spend his days on his room. He just never thought that the day would come when Yu XueQin would 'order' him out. He's grateful with the freedom but it would be very lonely if he will just do it alone. He heard that JiDan is busy so the little bun can't accompany him.

He heaved another deep sigh.

"That's rather deep. What are you thinking?"

Lang Yuan was surprised when a shadow suddenly loomed over him. He first look down at the floor and saw two familiar boots standing. His eyes then slowly trailed upwards, checking the normal looking clothes first before reaching up. He was registering the face of the taller man in front of him. He stared at the young face with a frown recognizing the image yet unable to tell his identity. Lang Yuan detected the familiarity but he could not place a finger over it.

The taller man saw the confusion of the youth and smiled.

"You already forgot about me?" The man asked.

That voice... Lang Yuan widened his eyes as he slowly returned his look to the man. Aside from the color of the irises that differentiates his image to his son, this one is like a replica of JiDan but without the baby fats and a bit more mature. The golden irises watched him intently, using the language of eyes to speak. Lang Yuan will surely not believe it but he remembered the reason JiDan suddenly shoot up overnight.

The stronger the cultivation, the greater the ability of the cultivator. Since Yu XueQin is the emperor and has the highest cultivation of the realm, there's no wonder that he could also change his appearance. The emperor is already a few thousand years old but he still managed a middle age look. His appearance ranges from ages twenty-five to thirty to which is enough to not look very young and very old.

But the appearance that he has now became younger, almost reaching Lang Yuan's original age. His features are smoother than before with a hint of fickleness but of a pure youth. Yu XueQin is already a tower before Lang Yuan but in this appearance he was only a head away, though still tall, it keeps their distance a bit closer. Yu XueQin could easily see the quick change of emotion coming from Lang Yuan's face.

It was the look of question, then became surprised. His cheeks were suddenly tinted with red when the surprise shifted to embarrassment. The look of complete fascination was obvious to his face, yet Lang Yuan could not accept it. It is as if you know that you already has fallen but still trying to argue that you're only flying downwards.

"It's okay, don't worry. I am already yours. You can have my whole being," Yu XueQin teased.

Due to his younger appearance, the once strict and serious appearance became naughty and playful by just smiling a bit. This affected Lang Yuan so much that his ears released steam just to reduce the feeling of hotness within. For the first time, Lang Yuan is feeling suffocated wanting to run to just spend the overloading fuel inside his heart.

He never thought that he like Yu XueQin like this.

Their relationship started by only forming a contract with each other: he will marry the emperor for the protection while Yu XueQin will marry him for the condition that was still not revealed up to this point. He thought that they are just doing a symbiotic relationship that is both beneficial to each other.

Though, things will never remain constant. The two of them made a few interactions with Yu XueQin showing his forward affection towards the youth. He would indulge to ambiguousness, always giving Lang Yuan hints that even the stupidest person could understand. Lang Yuan can see the efforts and thought that Yu XueQin is just only playing his part as the loving husband.

He has feelings, but it wasn't deep to the point of falling. He can tell that Yu XueQin is treating him 'differently' seeing as how the emperor would face the other people. Yu XueQin talks with JiDan in a loud voice but that is in the comfort of being the father of a young child. He talks smart when he was with Zhong Song and talks strict when with the Imperial Court Officials. But when Yu XueQin is with Lang Yuan, the emperor would changed a three hundred and sixty, turning the cold slate to a warm light.

Yu XueQin never treated Lang Yuan as a plaything. Honestly, most of the time, the servants would see the emperor watching the youth from afar, his eyes showing warmth and sadness - warmth because Lang Yuan is light a huge fire in a winter night, and sadness because he can't reach him... not yet.

Because he knows that Lang Yuan has already someone rooted on his heart.

Who that person is, they must be from the world Lang Yuan was born.

The two of them always remained on the safe zone. Yu XueQin obviously liked Lang Yuan very much. Aside from the contract formed between them, he has loved him beyond the pretense of interest between dragons. Lang Yuan also remained on his position, would often used the excuse of being JiDan's mother so he can stay. He's doing it subconsciously, not being able to notice the subtle hints he often give.

And today, it seems that that division will be broken.

"Y-your Highness..." Lang Yuan stumbled on his words.

Yu XueQin hastily lowered his body as he closed in very quickly. Lang Yuan could only suck a minute breath when the emperor's face came very near to his own. Their faces are almost touching if only that one centimeter will be crossed.

"Yuan-err, call me Xue... or just hubby," Yu XueQin said.

Lang Yuan blinked. "..." Hubby?

"Then I will just call you wifey," Yu XueQin announced.

"E-eh?" Lang Yuan thought that this one must be an impostor. How could Yu XueQin say such sly words? Yu XueQin, as if reading his mind, continued:

"We will be having our first date. It will bring suspicion if you will keep me calling Majesty. So from now on, you will call me hubby. Understand?"

"O-okay, Your H-..." Yu XueQin glared at him. "H-Hubby..."

Yu XueQin smiled very gently and crossed that one centimeter distance. His lips landed to the soft ones, stealing a quick tofu. Lang Yuan did not expect to receive a naughty peck resulting to him covering his mouth and cheeks flaming in red. It's not that they'd never kissed before. Actually, they have done more things than kissing but why did it make him shy all of a sudden?

It's because of these quick kisses that one would chase or else you will not catch up.

"Good. Then shall we go?" Yu XueQin asked.

"Ah... Mmn," Lang Yuan nodded.

Yu XueQin reached out for his hand and interlocked their hands tight. The emperor watched the youth stiffen as his whole body emitted a red expression. Yu XueQin stifled a laugh tugging Lang Yuan to start walking. Lang Yuan walked but his steps are rather mechanic like a robot that has no tendons knee caps.

The emperor knows that most of the time, Lang Yuan is vigilant especially on his manners. Actually, most of the people act the same. Yu XueQin is a strong ruler so people would be fearful before him. The only one who would treat him normally is Zhong Song and a few of his close confidants. JiDan is even treated him like a rival than a father, though, JiDan still holds respect before him.

After all, Yu XueQin is still his blood father.

Though, as of this time, Yu XueQin is not aware of whatever things Lang Yuan is thinking. In the mind of the youth, he was thinking why the hell is this emperor is so good-looking. Yu XueQin is already very handsome to the point of giving him one hundred twenty over one hundred points. His mind wandered more when the emperor hold hands with him!

Why-

Don't blame Lang Yuan. He never had a relationship before. Aside from that kiss given to him by Yan JiaYi, he never experienced anything, not even holding hands with another people. His anxiety did not allow him to interact more with people, what's more about holding hands, he has no idea how to do it! The naïve little youth who has yet to experience 'love' is really overwhelmed ah!

And now they are going to a date-

"Ah?" Lang Yuan halted on his steps. Yu XueQin looked at him.

"What's the problem?" The emperor asked.

"We are going to a date?" He answered the question with a question ah.

"Yes. That's what we are going to do now."

"Ah? Ah? Why?" Lang Yuan is more confused with this than solving a Laplace equation. "But... The emperor is not busy...?"

"I told you, didn't I? We still have enough time. Not until Zhong Song arrives, we can have all the free time that all we want."

"But you say that I should go out..."

"Yes. But I didn't say that you will be going with your servants. Who is, other than your husband, has the rights to accompany you?" Yu XueQin grinned. "I am more qualified."

Lang Yuan nodded shyly accepting the fate given to him. He just followed Yu XueQin though he was now relaxed. Yu XueQin happily took his wife away without looking back. At least, this time, that stubborn son is not here to disturb him.

Should cherish the time that they can be together alone without the kids around.

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Yay! I Updated!