The night air was cool, calm, and serene, enveloping the courtyard in a sense of quiet beauty. The soft trickle of water echoed from a small fountain, the droplets falling like whispers into the stillness of the night. Surrounding Hua Ren were delicate white lillies, their fragrance subtle but sweet, illuminated by the gentle light of the moon. His pristine white robes shimmered faintly under the starlit sky, and his snow-white hair was tied neatly into a ponytail, held in place by an ornate pin.
He sat there, silent, his eyes tracing the stars above as he replayed in his mind, the events that had happened since the day he went to the Eternal grain valley. No matter how many times he thought of the things Hei Long said to him, he couldn't make out what he really meant. He didn't understand if it was Hei Long's wish to kill the villagers or the Emperor’s. He didn't want to believe it was the Emperor’s though for the Emperor would never order the deaths of his own people like that. Besides, the Emperor specifically told them to investigate before taking any action. Why would he give Hei Long separate orders? It just didn't make sense. Hei Long must have acted on his own.
His gaze drifted to his hand, noticing the plain gold ring on his finger. Raising his hand slowly, he frowned at it. He knew what the ring likely was but couldn't yet comprehend why it had been given to him. Why would Qi Zhen, a rebel, give the Celestial Weapon to him, a soldier of the Celestial Kingdom? They were basically enemies. Was the old man not afraid of him using the weapon to destroy all the Rebels? There was a lot he didn't understand.
He tugged at the ring, attempting to remove it, but it wouldn’t budge. The harder he pulled, the tighter it became, until it began to pinch his skin. Sighing in frustration, Hua Ren released his grip, letting his hand fall into his lap. It seemed like there was no way to take it off.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps approached, cutting through the tranquil atmosphere. "The Emperor has arrived!" a eunuch’s voice called from outside the courtyard.
Hua Ren’s heart leapt to his throat as he quickly stood, his body tensing with nerves. The courtyard doors swung open with a soft creak, and the Emperor walked in.
Majestic as always, the Emperor was dressed in magnificent navy blue robes embroidered with golden dragons that seemed to dance in the moonlight. His dark hair was pulled back elegantly, cascading over his shoulders. His expression was cold and unreadable, though his eyes gleamed with power and authority.
Hua Ren's heart pounded harder, and he swallowed against the tightness in his throat. His life now lay in the Emperor’s hands and though he tried to calm his nerves, he couldn't stop the nervousness crawling up his spine. Tonight was the night his fate would be decided.
As the Emperor approached, suddenly, Hua Ren's vision blurred and for a brief moment, the regal figure before him shifted. He saw someone else. Someone with striking golden eyes and thin, pale lips pulling into a teasing smile.
"Sheng Fei?" he whispered under his breath, barely audible even to himself.
But reality snapped back as quickly as it had slipped. The Emperor stood before him, and Hua Ren groaned inwardly, his mind racing. Just what was wrong with him? He shook his head in an attempt to clear the unwelcome image of Sheng Fei from his thoughts. Why was he thinking about a rebel when the Emperor was right in front of him?
"Did you say something?" The Emperor's voice broke through the fog of his confusion.
Hua Ren immediately bowed deeply, hiding his inner turmoil behind a blank expression. "I said nothing, Your Majesty. Welcome." he replied, his voice steady despite the nervous flutter in his chest.
"Rise," the Emperor commanded. Hua Ren complied without hesitation, standing straight once more.
"Let's go inside and have some tea. We have much to discuss," the Emperor continued, his dark eyes fixed on Hua Ren, studying him in a way that made Hua Ren feel a little shy. Ever since the Emperor walked in, he had been staring at his face. Hua Ren was aware that the Emperor liked beauties. Could it be that the Emperor found him attractive?
He shook his head. That was impossible. The Emperor would never like a manly Omega like him.
Without a word, Hua Ren turned and led the way into his chambers. The room was simple yet elegant, fitting for a high-ranking general, though it felt more like a cage than a place of rest because he wasn't allowed to leave. Both men sat at a low wooden table, the silence thick between them.
A maid quickly stepped forward, her presence nearly invisible as she poured tea into their cups with practiced grace. The soft clink of porcelain was the only sound that broke the tension in the air.
"You're dismissed," the Emperor said, his voice cutting through the stillness. "I want no disturbance."
The maid bowed low and backed out of the room, sliding the door shut behind her with a soft thud, leaving them alone.
The room was engulfed in silence once again. Hua Ren kept his gaze firmly on the teacup in front of him, his hands resting in his lap.
The Emperor, however, did not look at his tea. Instead, his dark eyes were trained on Hua Ren, taking in the upward curve of his pure white eyes and the long thin lashes surrounding them. The pale white of his skin down to the elegant curve of his neck which disappeared into the tight collar of his white clothes. Hua Ren always dressed like that. No other inch of skin apart from his hands and feet were revealed. So modest. He observed Hua Ren’s beauty with a quiet intensity that made the air in the room feel heavier.
Hua Ren was aware of the scrutiny and it made him extremely uncomfortable but there was nothing he could say or do.
Finally, the Emperor spoke, breaking the silence. "Hua Ren," he began slowly, lifting his cup and taking a sip of the hot tea. "I think you know why I’m here."
Hua Ren nodded at the Emperor's question, his voice shaky as he responded, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor lifted his teacup to his lips, taking a slow sip as his sharp dark eyes remained fixed on Hua Ren. He set the cup down, its quiet clink reverberating in the room. “Before I tell you what I’ve decided, I want to know one thing,” he began, his voice low but commanding. “Why did you never tell me you’re an Omega? Why did you keep it from me?”