Hexin

@Zhang Linghe That Linghe sure could be clingy. When Linghe had told Chengxin that he was going to have his own quarters, the younger assumed that meant he wouldn't have to share it with anyone, not even Linghe. However, it was too late to just close the doors and call it a night on Linghe, since the general had already followed him inside. The grin on Linghe's face was very much similar to the one he had when he had first stayed in Xiao Ding's personal quarters at the Teahouse that first night. Keeping himself robed and letting the sash around his waist stay snug around him, Chengxin steered away from the bed, settling by the tea table instead. "Mm...a little, what is it you wanted to ask Ah He?" he asked, keeping his eyes trained on Linghe so that the other wouldn't do something unusual.

@Ding Chengxin Linghe followed Chengxin's gaze to the bedroom, and a slow smile spread across his lips. "It is," he said, rising first to offer Chengxin his hand. Perhaps Chengxin was finally realizing what he should be doing to show Linghe his gratitude. Even if they didn't go all the way tonight, Linghe still expected something. He led Chengxin back to his quarters, walking slowly to let Chengxin take in the route, and once they were inside, Linghe shut the door behind him. He turned to face Chengxin with a smile, approaching him as though one would approach a wild animal. "Xiao Ding, are you tired? I wanted to ask you something."

@Zhang Linghe Linghe sure was good at promising Chengxin a lavish future, though Chengxin wasn’t sure how much he believed the general who kept the knowledge of having three wives at home while continuously visiting the teahouse for Chengxin yet. “Curious about?” Chengxin asked, blinking his large eyes slowly, as if he had heard something foreign. As a supernatural being, what was there for him to be curious about? He supposed that if there was something, he wanted to learn what it meant to be human, and how these creatures could be so happy despite having so much turmoil and angst in their short-lived lives. But of course, Chengxin couldn’t just confide all of that to Linghe, so he smiled and shrugged after a while, “Perhaps…Xiao Ding would like to see more of the world. I don’t remember much about myself, but maybe I’ll learn more if I get to see what’s beyond the capital…” When Linghe offered to call someone, Chengxin decided he didn’t want any more touching from someone else, so he yawned. “No…it’s alright. I want to sleep with my hair down for once.” He looked back at the entrance to his bedchambers, “Ah He?” he asked, “Is it almost time to rest?”

@Ding Chengxin "You don't have to survive anymore," Linghe said, taking Chengxin's hair in his hands again when the younger turned back around. His heart fluttered each time Chengxin called his name, and Linghe yearend to hear those words spill from Chengxin with a moan, while they were tangled together in bed. "When you're here with me, you can spend your days doing anything you like. Is there anything you've been curious about before, Xiao Ding?" Linghe smiled when Chengxin admitted Linghe was the first to brush his hair. It gave him some sort of hope that maybe—just maybe, he could claim more of Chengxin's other firsts, too. "I'm afraid I don't know how to braid your hair the way you have it in the teahouse," Linghe admitted, setting the comb down once the hair was smoothed out. "Shall I call for someone?"

@Zhang Linghe Chengxin smiled wryly back at Linghe amidst having his hair groomed. This youngster had no clue that Chengxin was the ancestor of his ancestors, and yet he was so convinced that he was the older one in the relationship. It didn't hurt for Linghe to think that way though, since that would mean that Chengxin could chalk any questions up to his youthful naivete. "Ah He~" he tried again, this time trying to lighten the tone even more when he saw how it made Linghe beam, "I've always been the bold type. That's the only way to survive in the Teahouse." Chengxin turned back around, wanting his hair to be tied up before the night was over. "It feels nice," Chengxin admitted, though how much of it was real and fake was hard to distinguish, "Nobody's ever brushed my hair like this before..."

@Ding Chengxin Knowing Chengxin had gone on with his shower, Linghe had a servant bring over a small table of grooming tools for Linghe to play with Chengxin's hair with. He had never groomed anyone, of course, but he had seen enough to be confident that he could do it. Sitting beside Chengxin, Linghe pulled all of Chengxin's hair behind his shoulders, running his hand through them once before beginning to comb each section gently. Even damp, it was soft and fluid as newly-spun silk. He intended on letting Chengxin enjoy the evening in quiet, but to his surprise, Chengxin spoke up on his own accord. Linghe's hands stilled over Chengxin's hair, and his lips twitched at the corners before he guided Chegnxin by his shoulders to face Linghe. "Of course you may," he said, tucking his finger beneath Chengxin's jaw and thumbing over it. His smile widened slightly. "You're younger than me, but you're bold. You can call me whatever pleases you in the future."

@Zhang Linghe One small tug from Linghe had Chengxin's original robes falling off his head, revealing his long and wet hair, freshly washed and still slightly dripping with water. "Xiao Ding didn't want to keep you waiting," he said, concocting a random excuse that sounded somewhat believable. There was a light breeze in the air, which would help his hair dry, so Chengxin nodded and agreed to sitting with Linghe for a while. Not wanting to get his new robes dirty, he picked up his fallen outer robe off the ground and draped it over the porcelain bench that was just under the tree before sitting down on it. His hands were folded demurely over his lap as he looked up at the clear night sky. The skies were all he'd ever looked up to when he was cultivating in the Forbidden Forest, but now it felt like he had not seen it in such a long time. "Mm...Ah He," he finally called Linghe, trying out a new name that was a little more intimate, "Can Xiao Ding call you that? Is it too imposing, sir?"

@Ding Chengxin Watching Chengxin bathe, Linghe could completely understand Niulang and why he was watching all those heavenly maidens bathe. He simply could not tear his eyes away, saliva pooling in his mouth and his manhood twitching beneath his robes whenever he got a glimpse of Chengxin's snow-white skin. He did not know how long he stood there, but he stood for as long as he could, and when Chengxin rose and began to dress, Linghe hurried to retreat to the courtyard, standing nonchalantly beneath the large plum blossom tree when Chengxin approached him. He looked only when Chengxin called for him, as if he was pulled from deep thoughts. "Oh. That was fast." He picked up Chengxin's hands, pulling him to stand close again. "The night sky is clear. Would you sit with me for a while?"

@Zhang Linghe With the warm water keeping him rooted in the basin, Chengxin slowly worked through his long hair with the aid of a bar of floral-scented soap that had been left on the side of the basin. He continued to rinse the rest of his body, and only had thoughts of getting out of the water when it began to noticeably cool. Once he had finished, he stepped out of the tub and changed into the set of new robes that Linghe had prepared for him. They were a little loose, but that was no matter, as he fastened the sash a little tighter over his waist. Wringing his hair dry into the basin, Chengxin combed his fingers through the straight locks, leaving them to dry on their own. Linghe would be waiting for him though, so after another thought, he took his own robes off the screen and covered his head with them, stepping out to look around the pavilion. "Sir?" he called out, seeing Linghe standing under a plum blossom tree, seemingly waiting for him. "I've finished."

@Ding Chengxin Chengxin was probably expecting Linghe to retreat completely, but Linghe merely slid the door shut with just a crack and lingered outside the room. As soon as he heard the ripple of the bath water's surface breaking and its splash against the side of the tub, Linghe squeezed into the room again, standing just against the privacy screen to so he could get a glimpse of Chengxin through the gap. It was too much for Chengxin to expect Linghe to behave—no, this is Linghe's right! He paid a good amount for Chengxin, he should be able to do what he liked. In return, Chengxin should be grateful that Linghe saved him from a life of servitude. He pressed up against the screen, his breath hitching when he caught a glimpse of Chengxin's milky shoulders. Unfortunately, Chengxin sat in the tub with his back toward Linghe, so there wasn't much for Linghe to see, but in the end, it was better than nothing.

@Zhang Linghe "Mm, I'll call if I need help, sir," Chengxin hummed, dipping his head until Linghe left the room. He checked to make sure that the older was truly outside before he whipped around and went behind the folding screen to disrobe. Chengxin had perfected his human mask from head to toe in his cultivation, but he didn't want any opportunities for doubt to arise in other's eyes, so he always bathed on his own. Once he slipped off the many layers of robes and hung them over the screen, he undid his hair and put the hairpin on the little table before entering the perfectly hot water in the basin. He sunk into the bath and let his hair fall into the tub of water, splashing at the rose petals that floated at the top while he closed his eyes to recuperate after such a wild ride to the general's residence.

@Ding Chengxin Linghe was baffled. Now that Chengxin belonged to him—to his household—was there really a need for Chengxin to continue pretending he was prude? Linghe had been hoping Chengxin realized he could open up now, but he supposed Chengxin might actually be feeling shy in a new environment. "Fine..." He lowered his hands, even if they were still itching to just disregard Chengxin's words and tear everything off his body, and took a hesitant step back toward the door. "Call for me if you need anything. I'll wait for you to finish." Linghe was not, of course, going to let Chengxin go to sleep without Linghe getting well-deserved attention.

@Zhang Linghe Linghe had been rather meticulous in planning to help Chengxin get settled in at his residence. Chengxin was surprised to find that there was already hot water waiting for him to soak in, filled almost to the brim of the wooden bathing basin. It tempted him, as he wanted nothing but a long wash to soothe his tight muscles after riding on top of the horse earlier. Chengxin took a moment to take in the wash room, then turned to Linghe and gasped as the bigger male took a step in him right at that moment, "Oh!" he gasped, holding a hand out unconsciously, "It's alright, Xiao Ding can do it myself," he quickly said to Linghe, setting a boundary between them. For goodness sake, Linghe had only just brought him home today! Chengxin would have to keep this man at bay, "Xiao Ding comes from a lowly status and background...it would be improper for you to help me sir. Please, wait for me outside." To sell his story even better, he made a blush appear on his cheeks, and he looked shyly away from Linghe's gaze.

@Ding Chengxin Linghe's demeanour had changed completely from when he was talking to Shuxin. His features softened, and he led Chengxin to his bath. "Of course. I figured you would want to bathe before bed, anyway. The bath is ready for you. There is a clean set of robes for you to sleep in." The servant who had been maintaining the temperature of the bath bowed before heading out—although his wives enjoyed bathing with assistance, Linghe didn't want anyone else to see Chengxin's bare body before Linghe even got a turn. He lingered for a moment more, and when Chengxin didn't immediately start undressing, Linghe started toward him. "Let me help you."

@Zhang Linghe Chengxin held back his smug smile at his first of many small victories against such an insufferable woman. He could tell when someone was not fond of him, which only meant that he had no need to try and appease them. Linghe was quick to scold her, which had never once happened to Chengxin in the many evenings that Linghe had come to visit him. Perhaps this was the side of the general that his soldiers and enemies saw on the battlefield. Chengxin was much more used to the words that followed after, and he dipped his head in acknowledgement as he rose behind Linghe to follow him out of the dining pavilion. They were headed back to his personal quarters again. "Sir," Chengxin called out, gesturing to his robes, where a little stain had suddenly appeared, "I got a little soup on my sleeves. Xiao Ding would like to wash up and change, if that's alright."

@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."