Hexin

@Ding Chengxin Shuxin's scream disturbed the peace in the open dining pavilion and sent a jolt through Linghe's head, as if lightning had struck it. His eyes immediately narrowed in her direction. She had soup down the front of her robes, and she was picking at the gauzy material as thought she could strain the soup out of it on the spot. "You are really clumsy," Linghe snapped, placing a hand over Chengxin's, in case he was startled by the shriek as well. "Making so much noise, wailing like a demon; have you no shame?" Shuxin immediately stilled, even if the soup drenching her robes was burning her thighs. She murmured an apology with her head bowed, but it was too late. "Xiao Ding, come with me. I've lost my appetite."

@Zhang Linghe Chengxin had only ever put up a front of eating at the teahouse so that the rest of the performers wouldn't grow suspicious of him. He had not thought much about eating for enjoyment, but to his surprise, the food that Linghe had his cooks prepare was quite mouth-watering and delicious. Chengxin had not intended on eating much, but at the end of the meal, he had cleared off everything that was placed in his bowl. For the first time, he could feel a little strain in his stomach ever since he'd taken over this human form. The entire time, Linghe's eyes were fixated on him, leaving no room for anyone else to interject. Chengxin thought it was quite funny how the girls clearly wanted his attention, yet got none. If they wanted his attention so badly, Chengxin wouldn't mind giving it to them. As Shuxin reached for her bowl of soup, Chengxin flicked his finger slightly, and in the next moment, the bowl had tipped over and spilled onto her dress.

@Ding Chengxin "You haven't?" Linghe grinned. He liked the idea of being Chengxin's first. He knew he wouldn't be Chengxin's first kiss, but he wondered if anyone had bedded Chengxin before. Now that he had gotten him out of the teahouse, though, and now that Chengxin belonged to Linghe, there was no need to rush—it was only Linghe's own impatience and his want for the young dancer that pushed him along. "Good. Good, have some more. Try some of this tofu as well. Our cooks make this from scratch in our own kitchen. It's silky, isn't it?" Linghe spent the rest of dinner catering to Chengxin, barely responding to any of the three women when they tried to start a conversation with them. They were vexed, but they didn't dare do more than to show it on their faces for the time being with slightly furrowed brows and the occasional glare thrown toward Chengxin.

@Zhang Linghe Already, Shuxin was insufferable. Chengxin usually left young women's hearts alone, since he already possessed enough yin essence of his own cultivation. But if he were going to eat Shuxin's heart out of pure dislike for her, then that wouldn't be the worst downfall for someone like her. He feigned a little smile though, barely letting his front teeth show as he picked up the piece of pork in between his chopsticks. Bringing it to his lips, he took a delicate bite, nodding his head in approval. It was meat, which was chewy in texture and nicely flavored with the various spices and aromatics, but it was still nothing compared to the bouncy texture of a fresh heart. Chengxin looked at Linghe and then back at Shuxin, "This is really...special. Xiao Ding truly hasn't had anything quite like it," he admitted. The more lowly that Shuxin thought of him, the easier it'd be to guide her towards revealing her true colors towards him.

@Ding Chengxin Linghe wanted to ask Shuxin where he found such an insufferable wench, but he settled with giving her a pointed stare before picking out a piece of pork for Chengxin, placing the glistening piece delicately in his bowl. “Xiao Ding, try it. Now that you’re here, you can try anything you want. And your sisters will help you.” When Linghe looked up at the three women with his command, they all bowed their heads. Shuxin directed a smile that didn’t quite meet her eyes toward Chengxin. “Of course we will,” she said. “Xiao Ding, isn’t it? Eat up. I’m sure you haven’t had such rich foods in your life before.”

@Zhang Linghe Despite giving Chengxin a sign to drop the formalities, Linghe had not specified what Chengxin should address him as. What a thoughtless gesture, Chengxin thought to himself as he followed the taller out to the dining hall. Once again, he came face to face with Linghe's wives. Now that he could see their faces much clearer, it was obvious that there was one who was already harboring a deep disdain for him. It was none other than the one who Linghe waved off too, Shuxin, as he called her. Chengxin resumed his look of innocence and propriety, nodding his head in greeting to all the women before he took a seat that shared the same edge of the table as Linghe. "Yes thank you...sir," he said, still unable to think of any other name to call the other. It wasn't as if Linghe was his husband, nor was Chengxin a kept man that liked to use crude pet names for the sake of showing off. "Xiao Ding hasn't tried dongpo pork before," he told Linghe with a light smile, "But I'm sure it must be nice." Indeed, there was a huge spread of food before them, but no one dared move until Linghe picked up his chopsticks to eat first. Chengxin followed when he saw the woman from earlier, Shuxin, pick up her chopsticks. Instead of eating though, she looked at Chengxin with a catty glare, "Aiyo, our little brother has never had dongpo pork? Dear husband, where did you find such an inexperienced boy?"

@Ding Chengxin "Please," Linghe said, offering Chengxin his arm to guide him to the dining hall. "There's no need to be so formal anymore. You are part of my household now." Linghe's wives were already waiting for him in the hall, and the three stood to greet him when he entered. Linghe answered with a barely perceptible nod before leading Chengxin up to where Linghe usually sat. He glanced at Shuxin once before waving a hand. "Move over," he said, intending on making some space for Chengxin. "Xiao Ding, sit with me. The cooks prepared dongpo pork tonight. I hope it will be to your liking."

@Zhang Linghe Chengxin huffed into Linghe's robes as the taller man pulled him close. This was the grievance that he'd have to swallow for now, and hope that Linghe wasn't the type to go back on his words. "Alright," he finally murmured, just wanting to tuck in for the night after getting through dinner, which really wouldn't provide any sustenance for him. There weren't many things for Chengxin to put away, as he didn't bring much to begin with. However, taking a moment to glance around the room had him realizing just how much time Linghe had invested into decorating the room for him. There was a vanity that was set up in the far end, just like the vanity that he had in the teahouse. Then, there were paintings and scrolls hung up on the walls and a tea table in the middle. The bed was extravagant, with gauzy drapes that would give him privacy at night. It was almost like the bedroom of a main wife, if Chengxin didn't know any better. Perhaps it made him feel slightly better knowing that he wasn't lowering his living standards for the foreseeable future though. "Let's go to dinner..." Chengxin finally said, though he trailed off when he realized that he still wasn't given another option to address Linghe other than, "Sir."

@Ding Chengxin "I did promise," Linghe said, pulling Chegxin forward a step and enveloping him securely in his arms, his hand resting gently over the back of Chengxin's head to encourage him to lean against Linghe's shoulder. "And I won't forget. I will take good care of you." He pressed a light kiss to Chengxin's forehead, drawing back so he could get a good look at the beauty who belonged solely to him now. "Now let me help you put your things away. We'll go have a meal afterward. I knew you would be coming home today, so I had the kitchen prepare lots of food for you."

@Zhang Linghe Chengxin didn't understand what there was for Linghe to be smiling about. This human was just like the others - a swindler at the end of the day! "Your sincerity?" Chengxin repeated, his hands limp when Linghe held onto them. Women were bound to get jealous of each other, and adding such a pretty one like himself to the mix surely would not have any happy ending. "As well?" Chengxin repeated, his eyes widened as even greater offense was taken. "So I have to be a concubine?" he concluded. Linghe had made the future with him sound promising when they were at the teahouse. In his hurriedness to think of an escape plan, Chengxin had blindly believed it. Well, he supposed that he'd have to live with it for now, and he'd deal with the problems as they come. Realizing how he had entirely forgone his sense of class and propriety, he quietly lowered his eyes again, "Well then...you promised you'd protect me sir...I hope you don't forget."

@Ding Chengxin Truth to be told, Linghe barely felt his responsibility toward those women who lived under his household, let alone love, and it was evident to everyone in the country that he had married them out of obligation more than anything. Even after so long, Linghe had no children running around the estate, and his wives remained barren. Being the emperor's nephew, though, the blame of infertility was laid on Linghe's wives rather than him. He shrugged when Chengxin questioned him, reaching out again to unfold Chengxin's arms and hold his hands tightly. "Of course, you will have a better title than that. What would make you happy? What can I give you to show my sincerity?" Linghe's lips twitched upward. "My wife, as well?"

@Zhang Linghe There was no way Chengxin had entrusted his safety to a married man. They were the most dangerous men to be around of all! If the man himself was not a drunkard or a lecher, then his wife would be jealous and black-hearted. Chengxin had heard enough human folktales to know that the main wife was always the most dangerous one, regardless if they were the main character of the story or not. He frowned as Linghe continued to speak so casually of the matter, which made him cross his arms and step back from the taller, "Why would I have asked a guest about their personal life? Of course this makes a difference!" he exclaimed, "How can you promise to keep me safe when you already have that responsibility towards a woman? And three of them at that!" Chengxin rubbed at his nose, his brows furrowed, "Not to mention that you promised to give me a title. What could I possibly be in this household?" he asked, "Their brother?"

@Ding Chengxin Linghe blanched. He /may/ have neglected to mention that he was married—with more than one wife—but he didn't think it was going to be such a big deal. In fact, did Chengxin really think a man of Linghe's age and calibre to be single? "Xiao Ding, that hurts me," he said, pulling the younger the rest of the way into his room and shutting the door behind them before he addressed Chengxin's issue. "What do you mean you wouldn't have come with me? What difference does this make?" Linghe had never seen such an outburst of emotion from Chengxin before, and it was certainly... intriguing. Adorable, even. "You never asked me, so I didn't remember to tell you."

@Zhang Linghe In an instant, Chengxin's mood soured. So this was a /married/ man that he had just given up his rice bowl for to follow home? His entire face was blank as he observed the situation unfold, with each of the three women flattering Linghe while not even glancing once at Chengxin. At least, not until Linghe directed the attention to himself. Still trying to recover from the shock that Linghe had left out such a critical detail (he'd pay for this later), Chengxin, dipped his head in greeting. He could almost hear the coquettish scoffs under the women's breaths as they saw him, but there was no time for true introductions as Linghe practically whisked him away to their own space.

Chengxin was surprised to find that there was already a place reserved for him, though the thought of having to share a residence with this man, his servants, /and/ his not one, not two, but three wives was keeping him from being as happy as he should've been. "Why didn't you tell me you were married already!" Chengxin asked, stopping midway before they could even get inside of the quarters that were prepared for him, "If I had known...I wouldn't have agreed to come with you!"

@Ding Chengxin Linghe had been expecting the women to naturally try a little harder to curry favour with him when he had been spending so much time away from home, but he had not expected their efforts to heightened so greatly tonight. "Leave the soup in my study," he said to Jingyi, to her great disappointment. Linghe was not completely stupid nor privy to the thoughts of women. He knew his actions had been causing the three of his wives great distress as of late, but he just could not bring himself to care when he had someone as beautiful, graceful, and intelligent as Chengxin at his disposal. "This is your..." Linghe paused. He hadn't had a chance to think of the title Chengxin might have wanted yet. "Your new younger brother. He will stay with us from now on, so treat him kindly. I will take Xiao Ding to settle in first. Let's have our meal together."

@Zhang Linghe Chengxin didn't know much about inner city life, since he had only come from the outskirts of nature and gradually worked his way into the capital. When Linghe had offered Chengxin a place at his residence, Chengxin had assumed it'd be a small room behind the courtyard of a building that was maybe half the size of Longxin Teahouse. To his surprise, when the terrifying steed finally came to a halt, they were stopped in front of a huge estate that looked like it spanned at least a whole street. Chengxin gasped as Linghe helped him down, still gawking at the fact that /one/ man could live here alone. He quickly learned that this place also housed some servants, but...still!

As they were entering, and Chengxin was still processing, a few shrill voices cut through his thoughts.

"Dear! You're home!" one voice called. It belonged to a young lady dressed in dark pink frills of a dress, her hair obviously pulled up too tight to maintain a tall and elegant style, though that also meant she probably had a stiff neck.

"Have you eaten yet, husband? I had my servant save a bowl of the ginseng soup that she brewed for me, would you like me to bring you a bowl?" the second girlish voice called. She looked slightly younger than the first, and a little shorter too. Her smile was wider and she dressed in bright orange robes, clearly wanting to stand out from the first lady.

Behind them was a third lady wearing light shades of purple robes, but she didn't say much, only nodded her head in greeting as Linghe returned.

@Ding Chengxin The ride from the teahouse to Linghe's manor was the longest amount of time Chengxin had allowed himself to be pressed up against Linghe. He could feel every beat of Chengxin's heart, steady and strong, and he tightened his arms around Chengxin's lithe waist to force the younger up against him, leaving no space at all between them. The rocking motion from the horse forced Chengxin to rock against Linghe in turn, and Linghe would be lying if he insisted that this wasn't putting inappropriate thoughts in his mind. It was a relief once they arrived—the courtyard was mostly dark, save for the manor staff awaiting Linghe's return. Linghe slid off the horse first before he lifted Chengxin off by his waist. Chengxin was light as a feather. "I have a room prepared for you already. Let me help you settle in, and then we'll have dinner."

@Zhang Linghe Chengxin had momentarily forgotten about the veil, but as it was taken off momentarily and then reapplied over his face, he couldn't fathom what was going on through Linghe's mind. Their kiss, he realized, was ineffective with a veil between them, since Chengxin couldn't directly take the yang essence of the other. No matter, he'd have all the time to collect hearts and take kisses to make up for his lowered collection in these past weeks. Chengxin followed Linghe outside, but when he came face-to-face with a majestic, scary looking black horse, his knees quivered. It was his innate instinct that had him terrified, as horses were known to trample and stomp over foxes. So even if he was a human right now that had ever right to ride atop one of these four-legged beasts, Chengxin was shaking up until the last moment that Linghe was settled behind him. As they traversed across the city on horseback, Chengxin looked down at the common folk wandering around, buying their daily needs or even novelty items across the many shops lining the streets. If he could become a true human, then maybe he'd do something as mundane as these people did too, and he'd come to enjoy it. But for now, survival was of the utmost importance.

@Ding Chengxin Chengxin's answer was exactly what Linghe wanted to hear. He knew, as an entertainer, Chengxin was probably used to saying all the right things, but Linghe would rest easier if he lied to himself that Chengxin genuinely felt that way. "I will watch you faithfully," Linghe promised, brushing Chengxin's hair back into place and removing the veil he wore since he had just been performing. After a moment of contemplation, Linghe hooked the veil back around his ears, wanting the identity of /his/ dancer to be kept a secret. He held Chengxin by his waist, pulling him flush to press a kiss over his lips with the veil between them. "Come with me." Rather than bring a retinue and a carriage for Chegnxin, Linghe had only brought his horse—an impressive black stallion fitted in the finest of shimmering gold armour. Linghe helped Chengxin onto the horse first, seated sidesaddle, before swinging up effortlessly behind him, his arms secure at Chengxin's sides when he reached for the reigns. "Hang on," Linghe rumbled close to Chengxin's ear before he kicked the horse into motion, bringing him to a steady trot through the sparse streets of the night.

@Zhang Linghe Everything was happening almost too smoothly. It took no time for Chengxin to say his farewells to the teahouse madame and go back upstairs with Linghe to gather his belongings. He had never willingly stayed in a solidary residence with another human of any kind of relationship before. To share a residence with no one else but Linghe sounded like it would bring an unknown future. But at least, if it really got unbearable, he'd do away with this human and move elsewhere, as he did every few years or so ever since he cultivated his human form. Chengxin didn't have many belongings, so a small knapsack was enough to bring most of his items, including his few changes of clothes that he'd grown a special attachment to. Linghe's question, though unwarranted, was not unexpected. "Xiao Ding doesn't want rotating audiences anymore. It's better to have one person who will watch me faithfully than a hundred who will do so superficially." he said, turning to face Linghe when he was finished packing, "I'm ready sir, take me away."

@Ding Chengxin Linghe had expected some form of resistance from Chengxin, even if he would have never let it deter him. To hear from Chengxin's mouth, straight away, that he wanted to leave with him, brought immense joy to Linghe. "You're just in time," Linghe said, wanting to break the news to Chengxin personally before the teahouse madame did. "Your debt to Longxin Teahouse has been paid. You will leave with me tonight." Although the teahouse was surely not overjoyed as Linghe was to let go of her biggest source of income, she bid Chengxin farewell, and allowed them up to Chengxin's room so that he could fetch what little belongings he had. Linghe accompanied him, but he didn't speak until the door to the room that had become their haven was tightly shut behind them. "What made you change your mind?"

@Zhang Linghe Chengxin had given the possibility of moving in with Linghe some thought. He still needed a proper title out of the other if everything were to go according to plan, since investigating a teahouse dancer would be much easier than investigating, say, a general's wife. Chengxin didn't know if Linghe was so infatuated with him that he'd go so far to bestow such a title upon him, but if it didn't happen naturally, then he'd have his own ways to obtain what he wanted. When the teahouse madame informed him once more than Linghe had come to visit him, Chengxin decided to put his plan into action just in case the general already forgot his words. Seeing Linghe waiting for him at the entrance, Chengxin didn't think of much else other than running up to the general and looking up at him with a sparkle in his eyes, "Sir, Xiao Ding thought about it...take me out of here. I want to go with you."

@Ding Chengxin At first, Linghe was confident that Chengxin would agree, but as the days passed, he realized he didn't want to take that risk. Since he was busy with other work outside of the investigation, he wasn't able to make time to see Chengxin until another week had passed. The time without that young boy was agonizing. No one, not even Linghe's wives, were able to carry such an intelligent conversation with Linghe. Although Chengxin was not educated in an academy, he seemed to be familiar with the ways of the world. Linghe pitied him—it seemed he had been on his own for a long time. Linghe missed his presence, though, and he wanted to be the one to break Chengxin's lonely spell. So although Chengxin hadn't given Linghe his answer, Linghe still arrived with the gold to buy Chengxin's freedom when he saw him again. The teahouse madame was, as expected, more than happy to write off Chengxin's debt with Linghe's money, and immediately summoned her dancer down from the stage to relay the news to him.

@Zhang Linghe "Right, right...a title," Chengxin muttered, though that didn't mean he was set on moving in with Linghe just because the general was able to come up with some nice sounding title. He accepted one more kiss, but since Linghe was getting much too bold, Chengxin out a bit more of his essence, storing it away for himself. Just before Linghe dozed off to sleep though, Chengxin gave a silent nod of his head, watching as the other's eyes closed first.

The following few days, Linghe had returned back to the palace and had not returned to the teahouse since then, which was surprising to Chengxin. As the human said though, Chengxin began to noticed guards dressed in silver armor being poster at different points throughout the town, and the security measures growing tighter as normal villagers were given a curfew to keep at night to avoid any accidents while wandering around. Chengxin had tried leaving the teahouse a few times during the day to buy some silk to make a new robe for himself with, but he found himself being investigated and body-searched each time. And while he wasn't so eager to take Linghe up on his offer the first time, Chengxin was starting to wonder if...the most dangerous place next to the man trying to bring him down would actually be his safest hiding spot.

@Ding Chengxin Linghe chuckled. “You certainly have an active imagination.” When Chengxin’s hand was laid over his own, Linghe abandoned the idea of taking off his robes in exchange for holding Chengxin’s hand, entwining their fingers together tightly. “You want a title to move in with me?” Linghe’s smile grew, and immediately, he was thinking of every possible title he could bestow upon Chengxin, some more explicit than others. “Of course, that can be arranged. I will let you think on it, Xiao Ding, as you wish, but don’t keep me waiting. I am not a patient man.” With that, he pushed Chengxin’s hand aside again so that he could continue with his ministrations, pulling the sash apart so that he could peel at Chengxin’ gauzy outer robe. He connected their lips for what seemed to be the nth time that night, slipping his tongue past Chengxin’s bright red lips. “Will you have an answer for me in a week?”

@Zhang Linghe "I wonder why the killer is so fixated on killing teahouse patrons...what if it's a wife who harbors a grudge at her husband for visiting the teahouse so she wants to teach these men a lesson..." Chengxin mused quietly against Linghe. Anything that would draw the suspicion away from him was fair game, not that he ever felt like Linghe would even doubt him to begin with. Seeing as Linghe stole another kiss from him, Chengxin was starting to think he had not taken enough of the human's yang essence this time. He humored Linghe's idea by showing that he considered it, then smiling as he placed his hand over Linghe's wandering one, effectively stopping the other from disrobing him further, "You're so generous to Xiao Ding sir. I'm not sure what I've done to deserve your grace and generosity...but moving into a new residence with no title or reason is a big risk for me...what will I be in your residence? Xiao Ding needs some time to consider this...which I hope you'll allow me to have that sir." He smiled demurely at Linghe. Though it wasn't a big cause for concern yet, knowing that the general had the intentions of catching the killer would make movement within the teahouse much more difficult. Chengxin would have to carefully consider his next course of action.

@Ding Chengxin Linghe hesitated. He was not one to discuss his work unnecessarily, especially when it involved plans that hadn’t been put in action yet, but to Chengxin, he supposed it wouldn’t hurt to divulge it, especially if it may aid in convincing Chengxin to move in with him. “I’ll be increasing patrols in the city at night, especially around the teahouse,” Linghe said, beginning to play with the sash that held Chengxin’s robes together, peeling at it with slow movements so as not to alert Chengxin. “Since the murders always happen near the teahouse, to patrons who have visited it, then perhaps we may catch the killer around these parts. As long as the killer is out there, though, it’s not safe, especially for such a pretty one like you.” Linghe took the opportunity to kiss Chengxin again, short and sweet. “Worry not about the price. I will speak with your teahouse madame. I’m sure we will be able to come to an agreement. Even if Linghe wanted to take Chengxin without paying, who was that madame to turn down the request of a decorated general, and the emperor’s nephew? “I only want to hear you agree.”

@Zhang Linghe Chengxin's attention was once again drawn to Linghe's information about the murders. He didn't want to come off too interested to avoid arousing suspicion. So, as he played with his fingers, he casually asked the general, "What measures are you planning to take to protect the city against the murders then, sir?" To Linghe, it would sound like a test of his competence to follow through on his word. Chengxin couldn't just leave the comforts of the teahouse for a man whose competence he wasn't fully sure of. The only thing Linghe had going for him right now was a reputation and his handsome face. "Even if Chengxin wanted to come with you...leaving the teahouse won't be easy. The madame has never told me how much I owed before...nor have I asked her."

@Ding Chengxin “Yes, with me. I would keep you in my manor, and you would be safe.” Since Chengxin wasn’t trying to struggle out of his arms, Linghe’s fingers danced a little lower down his back, rubbing at his waist just over his plump bottom that Linghe would love to knead all night. “Even with the investigation ongoing, the murders in the capital and near the teahouse continue. It’s not safe. I’ve taken quite a liking to you, Xiao Ding, if you can’t tell.” As if to prove his point, Linghe closed the distance between their lips to press a gentle kiss to Chengxin’s lips. Elated that Chengxin wasn’t limiting their kisses like he had been doing for the past few weeks, Linghe’s heart swelled. “How much money do you owe the madame? I’ll buy your freedom, no matter the price. I only ask you grace my home with your presence. I would never make you do anything you didn’t want. You can live your days out in luxury.”

@Zhang Linghe It was late in the night, and if Chengxin wasn't going to get any human hearts to eat tonight, then he might as well get sleep where he could before he had more guests coming to see him the next day. He settled on the inside of the bed, laying straight and flat on his back. Linghe's arm came around him like a tight-fitted sash, rooting him in his spot. Chengxin turned his head, right into Linghe's face again, and he blinked owlishly at the bigger man. Linghe truly was handsome, even when he looked so closely that their noses were practically touching. "Hm?" he asked, feeling himself being guided to turn onto his side. Of course, Chengxin had received many an offer for patrons to buy his freedom, but those offers could never be realized before the night was over. Linghe was truly breaking all of Chengxin's norms...for some other reason that Chengxin couldn't think up of asides from his charming looks. "What?" he gasped, looking at Linghe with shock, "Live with you? Sir...what do you mean by that? Why do you ask Xiao Ding such a question?"