A/N: Last week is exam week so I wasn't able to write anything and update a chapter ;-;
The final chapter was longer than the rest, hence I will have to slice it into two (with additional plot) which will be posted in the future, and so now we'll have 5 chapters in total. •́ ‿ ,•̀
I hope everyone will enjoy! 🫶♥️
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Ren'er had been walking around the city barefooted, carrying a large basket of potatoes on his back, which seemed to be heavy and towering on his slim- tiny figure.
He's currently 16 years old, living with a 6 year old baby brother and his grandfather. They're poor, with him and his gradually weakening grandfather sustaining the family through selling root crops they managed to harvest from their 5 small farms.
Life is already hard. But then the difficulty level of his life only increased when two additional people were added to their small and pitiful household, all because his Grandpa had been blinded by the golden accessories these people had offered to them. 2 weeks later, it seems like the amount of silver tales those luxurious jewelries could've costed were lesser than the amount of tales they spent to feed these two.
Ren'er had been angered in his heart. Even more so when this person tried so hard to help them in the farm only to mess things up. But then, one day, when he finally got the nerve to complain about this to his grandpa behind their back, he scolded― If you don't want retribution to befall in our family, then you better treat them well!
He had rolled his eyes at that time, although he compliantly nodded his head to no longer anger his grandpa, it wasn't until he was stopped by 5 palace guards while he was selling potatoes in the city.
He stood stiff, face pale as a ghost, as he fearfully watched one of the guards as they pulled up a two meter-long scroll, or rather..... a painting.
A vibrant and breath-taking painting of a person who looked frighteningly familiar.
"This is an image of His Majesty's beloved consort. He's currently missing for unknown reasons, and His Majesty has been yearning for him day and night, unable to sleep and eat everyday. Have you seen him? If you have, please do tell us and you'll be rewarded a 10 year worth of golden tales by the Emperor!"
Ren'er took five steps back, eyes shrunken as he stared at the picture of the person who's literally - probably burning their kitchen for attempting to cook rice by now. His hands that were gripping the strap of the basket started trembling and became sweaty, mouth trembling, as he struggled to say a word.
He's now in a dilemma.
He knew. He knew about the favored consort of His Majesty, but he had never seen him before. As a result, when the-said favored consort approached them, looking ragged, with an adorable baby on his left arm and a bag of golden jewelries on his right hand, he had openly expressed annoyance. On the other hand, his grandpa had looked strangely fearful for a while before suddenly acting friendly towards the strange person and readily accepted the two in their home.
Now, this person, who's worth 10 years of golden tales, is living in their shabby house, while he was being sought by His Majesty.
Ren'er didn't know what to do. His annoyance towards the person is slowly fading away.
This person isn't rude at all, and can make lots of strange yet delicious food (but he's still wondering how he could not know how to start a fire from wood when he can cook so well). He's clumsy at farmwork, but can clean their house so well and fast. Almost as though he didn't come from a pampered life and had done a lot of housework in the past. (He had only thought he was a neglected concubine who managed to escape from the clutches of an abusive tycoon.) He also started calling him Wei-ge 5 days ago.
He also really adored his baby- Baby Yujun. He and his little brother really enjoyed taking care of his baby for him.
He can't bear to sell him out. It felt wrong for Ren'er to do so despite having already offered a key to the door that could possibly change their life forever and make them rich for their entire lifetime. And Wei-Ge is that key.
And so Ren'er did the only thing he could do. With his thin and muddy feet, he swiftly ran off, toes and soles seemingly flying amidst air as he was being chased by 5 fast horses.
His heart started pounding so hard his chest ached, but that didn't prevent him from thinking of ways to lose the knights all while reaching his home without getting noticed by them. Suddenly, he saw an enclosed corner. With narrowed eyes, he sped up and rushed to the corner, still hearing the shouts of the knights and the threatening gallops of the horses behind him. He quickly found a wall and hopped on to it, ignoring the fallen potatoes, and landed on the ground, finding himself to another familiar street before he ran off again- his figure fading into the crowd.
At that moment, the Knights had already pulled the reins of their horses and galloped into a U-turn to reach the road Ren'er might have landed to. They knew the kid had jumped from the wall, seeing the potatoes on the ground, but then as soon as they reached the street Ren'er had just come from, the child was no longer found everywhere.
___
Another week later, Ren'er had not said anything about that scary encounter.
His slightly plump arms (all because Lian Wei had been their cook and the one who almost provides them money for food since he had sold his luxurious clothes away with the help of his grandpa's great 'advertising' skills) carried a baby who's drinking a bottle of milk from his grip, while he stared at the back of a squatting Wei-Ge, currently moving lumbers to start a fire.
(A/N: Ren'er is calling Lian Wei, "Wei-Ge".
"Ge" means big bro in English, and that's when you call a guy older than you intimately, either blood-related or not.)
He had gotten good at it.
Ren'er looked up and stared at their dilapidated gate.
Ever since that time he had met those knights, he's been very vigilant of their gate, for instance those knights would suddenly appear to their gate and would come to take Wei-Ge away, then he would instantly stand up and try to shield the gate to defend Wei-Ge.
There are times he wanted to talk about that day to Wei-Ge, yet he hesitates. Although he knew there's no way Wei-Ge would never be willing to go back to the palace again (otherwise why is he here? why would he rather live a hard life with them than live a lazy life at the palace?) yet, he still fears about the possibility of Wei-Ge leaving them as soon as he tells him about them.
He'd never admit this before, but it truly felt great having an older person to rely on in this house, other than his grandpa who could barely move around with his old age. It's like he had gotten an older brother for a day, although Wei-Ge is a Ger like himself and already a young mother, he's grown ― only slightly ― attached to Wei-Ge within 3 weeks. For the first time, he felt younger with Wei-Ge around. If Wei-Ge is gone, he doesn't know how he would take it.
(He DEFINITELY won't cry! His little brother will be the one to cry, NOT HIM!)
"Ran'er, call Grandpa! Food is ready! Ren'er, come to the table."
Ran'er, his little brother, instantly stood up with a "Okay!" and ran off from where he just sat beside him and made funny faces at Wei-Ge's baby, while he himself stood up and carefully handed the baby to Wei-Ge so he could start preparing the table.
Several minutes later, all of them were already at the table, sitting and eating, while his grandpa initiated a conversation which everyone followed very soon.
Until, suddenly.
"Ah-Lian, Grandpa.... He .... He met a few big guys looking for you." His Grandpa started.
Ren'er immediately became nervous. He looked up, only to see Wei-Ge who had also stiffened, looking..... afraid?
Ren'er let out a sigh of relief as soon as he saw Wei-Ge's expression.
"Why... Why were they looking for me, Grandpa?" Wei-Ge asked. He currently had his chest exposed so his baby could drink milk from his breast.
His Grandpa started hesitating, but he still continued, "They're from the palace.... " Suddenly, Grandpa glared at Ren'er, "They said they've met Ren'er before. Apparently, we're the only ones selling potatoes in the city, and so they easily found out who we were. Why did Ren'er not speak a word about this before?"
"I... G-Grandpa...... That's because...." However, Ren'er's words were cut off by Lian Wei.
"Grandpa, there's something I haven't told you about..." Lian Wei muttered, his hands tightly gripping the chopsticks. Ren'er looked up at him nervously.
His Grandpa responded as though he didn't know anything, "What is it, Ah-Lian?"
"About my identity, I've kept it a secret for quite some time-"
There was suddenly a loud slam on the table.
Ren'er knelt up from his squatting position and anxiously yelled, "We Know! We Already Know!"
Four pairs of eyes all looked at him in surprise, save for Ran'er who's concentrated on watching the baby suckling from his mother's breast with wide, curious eyes.
Ren'er subconsciously shrunk to himself and gripped his pants, feeling a bit embarrassed, "G-Grandpa is right, I've met a few knights who had Wei-Ge's painting. T-They told me His Majesty was looking for you, and I ran away. I.... I only learned at that time that you were that... consort of His Majesty, b-but I didn't say anything after that...."
"Why?" His Grandpa asked, his tone had a hint of disappointment, but Ren'er pursed his lips after that, no longer willing to speak a word.
He doesn't want to say― I don't want Wei-Ge to leave! He'd rather die than say it!
He then suddenly heard Wei-Ge apologizing to them, for keeping his identity a secret.... for causing trouble to them, to which his Grandpa brushed off with a laugh. Really, Ren'er also thought he didn't need to apologize, it was Ren'er's fault for not telling anything to them.... for being selfish.
"His Majesty......" Wei-Ge started, his tone gloomy. Everyone's attention turned to him, "His Majesty had wanted me to become his Empress, and I didn't want to so I escaped. I just faced an attempt of assassination prior to that, hence I didn't hesitate to leave without anyone knowing. I figured, I'd be in more danger if I became the Empress. But it's not that I'd be willing to stay there any longer as well, even if his Majesty had not declared for my coronation in the future..."
Ren'er trembled hearing that.
He hadn't heard of that. Or rather, no one has announced yet, that this country will have an Empress soon.
It just dawned on him, how important of a person Wei-Ge is, and yet he's still living with them- hiding from the palace.
The current matter is extremely crucial, save for the fact that His Majesty ― allegedly ― is growing thin due to his distress and miserable yearning for his favored consort. If His Majesty is going so far as to search for the missing consort for literally 3 weeks already, Wei-Ge could be the sole candidate for the Empress in his mind, even if he still had lots of concubines around, and Wei-Ge.... they'll do everything to bring Wei-Ge back. That explains those knights' offer of 10 years worth of golden tales which he had unhesitatingly set free.
It only dawned on Ren'er, that he really could've told them about this earlier.... For that, they'd have lots of time to move and hide. That's why Grandpa was mad at him.
"W-What should we do...?" Ren'er stammered, his hands clutching to his robes as he looked up to his Grandpa with hopeful eyes.
"Do you still want me here?" Wei-Ge suddenly asked incredulously.
"Of course!" His grandpa exclaimed, "How could we not? You're a kind, and hard-working kid. My grandsons have also started enjoying you and your son's presence in our small, humble family!"
His Grandpa laughed, slapping Wei-Ge's shoulder. In return, he started thanking his Grandpa with deep bows- to which, his Grandpa hurriedly refused. After all, Wei-Ge is His Majesty's favored consort still. Originally, they were the ones who should be bowing deeply to him.
Lian Wei then looked at Ren'er with raised eyebrows, in a way that seemed mischievous and up to no good. Ren'er, of course, instantly caught that message and looked away, unable to stop his cheeks from heating up. That only earned an annoying laugh from Wei-Ge.
"I feel like it's only been a few days since Ren'er was adorably scowling at me!" Wei-Ge grinned. Ren'er only huffed at him in return, cheeks bulging in anger, which resulted in another fit of amused laugh from Lian Wei.
____
Lian Wei lamented, looking at the heavens with a palm heating up his already aching forehead.
2 weeks ago, unbeknownst to Lian Wei and his small family consisting of his little son, two young Gers and one Grandpa, troop of knights have come to infiltrate their previous home along with the Emperor who was riding a horse. They've come in dozens, even carrying a luxurious and elegant-looking palanquin for their future Empress to ride (apparently, they're confident that Lian Wei will appear and compliantly come to them), only to meet with the whistle of the breeze, and a silent house, with no trace of living apparent.
The Emperor, who doesn't seem as thin as the knights was "marketing" to earn more pity and help from the country people, looking robust, regal and handsome as always- he scowled in fury.
He had jumped off his white, elegant horse. His dark boots clacking on the ground like that of the sound of delicate pearls colliding to one another, rapidly approaching the dilapidated house, and opening the sliding door in anger, only to see neither people nor furniture.
"FUCK!" The Emperor bellowed, walking away with a clenched fist- veins bulging on his temple.
Lian Wei and company had already dwelled at one of the old man's farms, which was near the borders of the city. For a week, all while Baby Yujun was being taken care of by Ran'er, Lian Wei was helping Ren'er and Grandpa build a small house out of the woods they gathered from the forest, although, Grandpa still forbade Lian Wei from carrying heavy stuff as he- or rather, the original body had just given birth to baby Yujun a few months ago and he could easily catch a fever or so.
It took them a week to manage a ceiling ― and at least there's already a ceiling ― and then for the second week, they already almost finished building the walls and the floor.
With Grandpa's farm, his savings from selling Lian Wei's golden jewelry, and Lian Wei's own golden tales, although their house still seemed pitiful, at least their bellies were always full.
Lian Wei hoped days like this could last. Although he always laid down with his son tired- feeling his limbs aching, he felt happy and comfortable. He also loves his new family. Every night, he doesn't have to feel cautious about his surroundings. It was only his baby's tantrums in the middle of the night that woke him up. The forest is desolate but peaceful, and there's a river only 100 steps away from their small house for them to bathe in or wash their stuff.
Everything was too perfect, too serene, that when Lian Wei saw the pale faces from Grandpa and Ren'er, as they rushed inside their house stained with blood, as they carried a man in a regal outfit- also bloodied.
Lian Wei almost dropped the knife he was holding.
He recalled.
A vassal kingdom rebelled. They knew of His Majesty's consort― Lian Wei and his sole purpose in the court, other than being His Majesty's treasured bed partner, he was to make use of his intelligence and assist the Emperor during mandating. Obviously, Lian Wei would be more essential amidst wars. And now that the Emperor's one of strongest weapons disappeared, this instilled boldness to the vassal kingdom, so took this opportunity to rebel against the Emperor for the purpose of conquering the area he's ruling and declared war.
It just happened that the Emperor's army were all stationed at the edge of the city right where Lian Wei and his new family were currently dwelling. For a month, they weren't able to sleep due to the simultaneous noises of loud explosions, roars, and metals clanking to one another. The only reason why they haven't left the place yet was due to them being hidden deep in the forest, and across them was the army of the Emperor who they believe will never find them- let alone hurt them.
Lian Wei had only felt scared witless after seeing Grandpa and Ren'er bringing in the bloodied and unconscious body of the Emperor, who, later on, they claimed to have seen collapsed near their farm and thought of bringing him in as it would've been cruel for them to ignore him and let him die.
His Majesty was quickly tended to, as the war was still going on, and obviously, Lian Wei and the rest were rooting for the Emperor to win against the rebels. They only feared that when the two opposing armies realized the disappearance of His Majesty, things wouldn't end well, so despite their hesitation, especially when they recalled the fact that His Majesty was still desperately looking for Lian Wei up until now, they ended up taking good care of the Emperor, in which Lian Wei had initiated doing so through silently washing the blood off the Emperor's body which was a sign for them to do so as well.
"I haven't filed a 'divorce petition' with His Majesty yet, so as his.... uhm... wife? He's still my responsibility I guess." Lian Wei reasoned as he wearily sighed. He had just put on a gray towel that was now covering the bottom of his face, only for fear that when His Majesty awoke, he would recognize Lian Wei.
His pair of elegant Phoenix eyes looked down at the Emperor who's still sleeping, yet his tightly shut eyes and his thick and defined eyebrows were still furrowing due to pain.
___
As soon as Hong Mingze came to, his nearly clearing vision instantly saw long eyelashes, and two pools of familiar cold, silver eyes, following downwards were fair and elegant fingers dabbing a red-tainted cloth on the large wound from his own exposed chest.
His eyes instantly shrunk.
The man had no time to express either shock and fear when Hong Mingze abruptly sat up from the bed, like a corpse rising from the dead when one had initially expected him to not wake up for a while (and not in this frightening way), suddenly gripping the other's shoulder, and he hungrily stared at the man's apprehensive face with wide- stunned eyes.
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A/N: I promise, the next chapter will be the last ಥ‿ಥ🤙~
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