Chà Chà Novel

The night breeze was cool and pleasant. The Forbidden City had fallen quiet, apart from the guards patrolling along its walls.

Only the emperor’s bedchamber remained brightly lit, its air warm and heavy with intimacy.

A slender, pale hand reached out from behind the imperial-yellow bed curtains, only to be caught by a larger one and drawn back inside. A broken, tearful sound followed.

I can’t take any more. I really can’t…

The corners of Shen Ci’an’s eyes were flushed red. His cheeks glowed beneath a fine sheen of sweat. Lu Yinghuai held his narrow waist, guiding him through each movement.

Shen Ci’an had reached his limit. He opened his tear-bright eyes and looked up at Lu Yinghuai. His red lips parted, and his voice came out barely louder than a breath.

“I can’t… Lu… Yinghuai.”

Desire had left the man beneath him almost senseless, his gaze unfocused. Yet he could still say Lu Yinghuai’s name clearly. That pleased Lu Yinghuai more than anything.

It was a joy beyond physical pleasure.

Lu Yinghuai bent to kiss Shen Ci’an’s soft lips, swallowing the rest of his pleas as his movements quickened.

Shen Ci’an could no longer get the words out. He could only wrap his arms around Lu Yinghuai’s neck, clinging to him like a drowning man to a piece of driftwood, afraid the great waves would pull him under.

Lu Yinghuai watched every expression cross his face. His voice was low and hoarse as he murmured again and again, “An’an, An’an… I adore you. I love you.”

Shen Ci’an had no strength left to answer. He closed his eyes as if surrendering to it all. A tear slipped from the corner of one eye, and Lu Yinghuai caught it with the tip of his tongue. Their breaths mingled in an embrace so fierce it seemed neither would let go.

Shen Ci’an had no idea how much time passed. He only knew it was a very, very long while before their frantic lovemaking finally ended. By then his limbs had gone weak. When Lu Yinghuai lifted him, he could feel his legs trembling.

In the enormous bath, Lu Yinghuai washed him with painstaking care. He cleaned every part of Shen Ci’an’s body, then lifted him out and steadied him against the side of the tub while he dried him. Finally, he crouched to dry even Shen Ci’an’s pale, rounded toes.

Such work was usually left to servants. But Shen Ci’an was not from this era, and he disliked being touched by strangers. Lu Yinghuai felt the same way: he did not want anyone else touching Shen Ci’an.

Shen Ci’an belonged to him alone. Taking care of him himself, in every little way, gave Lu Yinghuai immense satisfaction.

Once he was carried back to bed, Shen Ci’an had no desire to speak. He gathered the quilt in his arms, shifted toward the inside of the bed, and turned his back on Lu Yinghuai.

Lu Yinghuai acted as though nothing had happened and drew him close, quilt and all. He knew he had pushed Shen Ci’an too far tonight. Shen Ci’an was sulking with him.

So spoiled.

Ordinarily, Lu Yinghuai knew how to restrain himself. But today he could not stop thinking about the way Shen Ci’an had looked at Lu Sihe. There had been something in that expression he could not quite name: a teasing smile touched with affection.

Shen Ci’an had never looked at him that way.

Lu Sihe was elegant and handsome. Lu Yinghuai’s own looks were cooler, almost the opposite of his.

Lu Sihe also resembled Lu Jiayan a little. Both had the kind of face that appeared gentle at first glance.

Was that the kind of man Shen Ci’an liked?

Lu Yinghuai’s arms tightened around him. He scattered small kisses along Shen Ci’an’s neck, breathing in the faint scent of crabapple blossoms. It was subtle, but enough to stir desire.

Shen Ci’an felt his hold tighten and went rigid for a moment. With an effort, he opened his exhausted eyes and said through clenched teeth, “Lu Yinghuai, enough. Know when to stop!”

Lu Yinghuai had not intended to do anything more. He simply could not control his body’s reaction. He would probably leave Shen Ci’an alone tonight. Otherwise, Shen Ci’an might refuse to speak to him for days.

“An’an, do you love me?”

“…”

Here we go again…

These days, “I love you” was the phrase Shen Ci’an said most often. Yet Lu Yinghuai never seemed to tire of asking, especially in bed, where he could demand to hear it over and over.

Wanting nothing more than to sleep, Shen Ci’an answered without much enthusiasm. “I love you. Now go to sleep. I’m exhausted.”

“Who am I? Who do you love?”

“…”

Shen Ci’an drew a deep breath. “You’re Lu Yinghuai. I love Lu Yinghuai.”

Only after hearing that precise answer did Lu Yinghuai settle down. He kissed the top of Shen Ci’an’s head and curled up beside him.

After a night like that, Shen Ci’an slept until Lu Yinghuai had already returned from morning court.

When he woke, Lu Yinghuai was sitting at a table, reviewing memorials.

Shen Ci’an got out of bed and washed up without so much as glancing at him. Then he wandered over, picked up an unread memorial, and flipped through it.

The contents stopped him short. An official was urging Lu Yinghuai to hold a selection for the imperial harem.

Only then did Shen Ci’an remember that, in this lifetime, Lu Yinghuai was emperor. Emperors were hardly expected to spend their lives with just one person. A palace full of consorts was considered perfectly ordinary. And Shen Ci’an was a man; he could not give Lu Yinghuai an heir.

What a headache. Why did they put Lu Yan in this role? The pressure is enormous.

He meant the pressure on himself, not on Lu Yinghuai.

He fully intended to marry Lu Yinghuai, and Lu Yinghuai certainly wasn’t going to marry anyone else. When that happened, those hidebound ministers would put Shen Ci’an in the history books as the beautiful man who had led an emperor astray.

There goes my reputation…

Resting his chin on one hand, Shen Ci’an tossed the memorial to Lu Yinghuai and raised an eyebrow. “Here. They want you to fill your harem.”

Most princes had a principal consort and secondary consorts before taking the throne. Even those who had not married usually kept concubines. Lu Yinghuai’s household, on the other hand, had been as empty as a monastery.

Ordinarily, a new emperor had to observe three years of mourning after his predecessor’s death before selecting consorts. But Lu Yinghuai had succeeded his father after an abdication. There was no period of national mourning and no reason to wait.

A newly enthroned emperor with an empty harem was an oddity.

Many ministers were already hoping to send a son or daughter into the palace. If one of them happened to catch Lu Yinghuai’s eye, it would bring honor to the entire family.

The teasing look on Shen Ci’an’s face was impossible to miss. Lu Yinghuai shot him a sidelong glance, took the memorial, and pretended to study it.

“It’s from the Left Chancellor. If I recall correctly, his second daughter by his principal wife is exceptionally beautiful, with a fine bearing as well.”

A smile appeared at Shen Ci’an’s lips. He met Lu Yinghuai’s gaze openly and replied at his leisure.

“If Your Majesty likes her, by all means bring her into the palace. I also know the Vice Minister of Rites has a son by his principal wife. He’s a year younger than I am, remarkably handsome, and quite charming. Perhaps Your Majesty should meet him too?”

The smile in Lu Yinghuai’s eyes faded. He pressed his lips together, set down the memorial, and looked at Shen Ci’an.

“Where did you meet the Vice Minister’s son?”

Lu Yinghuai knew how many children the notable officials had and had met most of the sons born to their principal wives. Naturally, he had met the Vice Minister of Rites’ son as well. Shen Ci’an was right: the young man was handsome, refined, and easy to like. He had the same gentle sort of looks as Lu Jiayan and Lu Sihe.

How irritating.

When had Shen Ci’an met him? Lu Yinghuai had never heard a word about it.

And why was he speaking of him so highly?

Shen Ci’an’s expression did not change. If anything, Lu Yinghuai’s question only deepened the amusement in his eyes.

“That’s my secret. I simply remembered Your Majesty once saying you would like anyone I liked. That’s why the Vice Minister’s son came to mind.”

“Shen Ci’an!”

Oh, so that’s enough to make him angry…

“Why is Your Majesty upset? Have I done something wrong? Am I not being generous enough? Didn’t Your Majesty say you would make me your empress next spring? As your future empress, naturally I must think of you first. I should help fill your harem, ensure you have heirs as soon as possible, and see that every day brings you happiness.”

Fill the harem. Have heirs. Happiness every day…

Lu Yinghuai pressed a finger to Shen Ci’an’s lips, signaling him to stop. His voice was full of weary affection. “Say a little less, and I’ll be happy every day.”

Shen Ci’an was enjoying the performance too much to quit. He pulled Lu Yinghuai’s hand away and arranged his face into a tearful expression. Snatching up a handkerchief, he gave it a little flourish before dabbing at the corners of his perfectly dry eyes.

“Has Your Majesty grown tired of me? You don’t even want to hear me speak anymore. I suppose I was foolishly devoted. It seems I’m the only one who remembers what you said a few months ago. I’m not as sweet-tongued as those younger brothers and sisters of mine. Of course Your Majesty would grow tired of me.”

This humble subject. This humble subject. This humble subject…

Lu Yinghuai was getting a headache. At last, he could take no more. “Why don’t we go to bed right now? Then you can find out for yourself whether I’ve grown tired of you.”

He reached for Shen Ci’an, but Shen Ci’an slipped back out of reach.

The handkerchief fell away. In an instant, Shen Ci’an was once again the cool, refined young nobleman. He gave Lu Yinghuai a sidelong look from beneath his lovely eyes.

“I’m hungry. Have them bring the food.”

Lu Yinghuai almost burst out laughing. Shen Ci’an glared at him.

“What are you laughing at? It’s broad daylight, and you’re already behaving like this. I haven’t even laughed at you!”

Lu Yinghuai put on an innocent face, though laughter filled his voice. “You’re the one who accused me of losing interest. Surely I have to prove you wrong.”

Shen Ci’an gave a cold little laugh. “Someone has already submitted a memorial asking you to select consorts. Let’s see if you’re still laughing when more and more of those memorials pile up on your desk.”

The retired emperor was still alive. He was hardly going to let Lu Yinghuai do whatever he pleased. The two of them would face plenty of pressure.

“What pressure? It’s only a consort selection. Of course there should be one.”

Lu Yinghuai sounded entirely serious, as though he could not imagine why it would be a problem.

Shen Ci’an narrowed his eyes at him. For a moment, he genuinely could not tell whether Lu Yinghuai meant it.

Was he trying to make Shen Ci’an jealous again, or did he truly intend to take consorts?

Shen Ci’an was certain Lu Yinghuai loved him beyond all reason. Lu Yinghuai was, after all, the vessel carrying Lu Yan’s soul.

What Shen Ci’an could not be certain of was how much this lifetime had shaped him. Lu Yinghuai had grown up in an ancient imperial court. Even in a kingdom with relatively open customs, an emperor was hardly expected to spend his life with only one partner—especially a man who could not bear him an heir.

Whether Lu Yinghuai was joking or not, Shen Ci’an needed to make himself clear.

“Lu Yinghuai, I want one person for one lifetime. If you want to be with me, then no matter who you are, there can be no one else.”

“So if you intend to select consorts or fill your harem for the sake of the empire, we should end this now. No matter how deeply I love someone, I will never share the person I love.”

If Lu Yan’s memoryless soul had truly absorbed the beliefs of this era—if he thought it natural for a man to have several wives and concubines, or considered a crowded harem an emperor’s duty—then Shen Ci’an would not waste any more time. His mission was complete. If he chose to leave, Lu Yinghuai could not stop him.

His expression remained calm. He neither smiled nor showed any anger. He spoke as coolly as if he were commenting on the weather.

Lu Yinghuai studied him for a long moment. A smile flickered in his narrow eyes.

“An’an, you just called me the person you love.”

Right. Of course. He only said it to make me jealous again.

Childish. Unbelievably childish. He’s an emperor, and he spends his days playing games like this.

Shen Ci’an was tired of calling him childish.

He gave Lu Yinghuai a cool look. “What else would you call what we do every day?”

“Oh, I forgot. You’re not my husband yet. We haven’t married, so what we’re doing is having an illicit affair.”

“Lu Yinghuai, you forced yourself on me before we were married. Strictly speaking, that doesn’t make you my lover.”

Shen Ci’an rose at an unhurried pace, paying no attention to the way Lu Yinghuai’s face had visibly darkened.

He had plenty of ways to deal with Lu Yinghuai.

You’ve still got a lot to learn, young man.

After lunch, Shen Ci’an ignored Lu Yinghuai and headed for the Imperial Garden on his own. The meal had been prepared entirely to his taste, and he had eaten a little too much. A walk would help settle it. He told Lu Yinghuai not to follow.

The flowers in the Imperial Garden were brilliant even in autumn. That was the palace for you: every season brought another profusion of blooms.

Shen Ci’an made his familiar way to the swing, only to find someone already there.

Lu Sihe was sitting on it, rocking gently back and forth just as Shen Ci’an had done the day before. He was still pale, but his evident good mood had brought a little life to his face.

Because of that face, Shen Ci’an did not avoid him, even though he could tell Lu Sihe was deliberately seeking him out.

Yesterday, he had thought their chance meeting was another childish move by Lu Yan—a way to prove Shen Ci’an loved Lu Yan’s soul, not a particular face.

Meeting Lu Sihe here again today, though, was rather too much of a coincidence.

The same place. The same man.

Shen Ci’an had to wonder what the soul beneath that familiar face wanted from him.

Perhaps he thought my life was getting dull and decided to liven it up…

A faint smile touched Shen Ci’an’s lips. He raised his voice slightly.

“Your Highness, Prince of Yue.”

Lu Sihe acted as if he had only just noticed him. He hurried to his feet, a sudden flush rising to his cheeks. Even his voice sounded a little unnatural.

“Marquis of Yong’an. What a coincidence.”

Shen Ci’an approached him, one step at a time, his smile growing wider.

“Yes. Quite a coincidence.”