San Lang once again refused to put Xie Lian down for the whole duration of the walk back to his own private chambers, but Xie Lian had almost gotten used to the king carrying him already. Which he really shouldn't, he realised.
Once they'd arrived, the king carried him through his courtyard, the main house, and even further until he walked out of the house on the opposite side again. There was a comparatively small-ish, lush backyard, with many flowers, a pond and a small, octagonal pavilion. There was also a door on the opposite wall, to which San Lang carried him.
After San Lang stepped through the door with him, Xie Lian could feel himself gaping, feeling utterly dumbfounded at the sight in front of him. It felt like he had gone through a door that made him traverse through miles upon miles with just one step. He looked back through the door, only to see the same lush garden he'd just been carried through, which reassured him greatly. He would've thought he'd suddenly entered a different, very distant country otherwise.
The architecture was vastly unfamiliar, there was not a trace of Feng Shui to be found, and even the furniture and colors stood in stark contrast to the rest of the king's quarters.
In the middle of the room, a part of the painted ceiling was rounded, as if a giant ball of stone had left a dent in there, only without affecting the paint on it in any way, which portrayed a starry night sky rather realistically. A huge bed, that looked nothing like the beds he was used to, stood right beneath that rounded part of the ceiling, on top of a platform raised by three steps, almost overflowing with blankets and pillows, positively putting the one in the entertainment room to shame.
It was facing toward a window, that showed a night scene of some place that had roofs built in the shape of onions, complete with light sources on the ground and a huge, glowing crescent moon in the sky, though Xie Lian hadn't thought that was the correct phase of the moon they were in right now. In front of that window, which was also framed by a variety of drapes, just like the bed, stood a big, padded lounge chair, with a side table.
Shaking his confusion off, he took more of the room in. Apart from the bed, there was a bathing area in the far back, he thought, only that the bathtub was a pool of water in the ground. The walls and floor of that pool seemed to be made out of the same sand-coloured marble the floor of the rest of the room was made out of, with a small colourful bordure towards the upper edge, and two small-ish palm trees on each side of the entrance to the bath. There was also water flowing out of a part of the wall that was made to look like the bird's eye view of a lotus flower pistil, which was surrounded by golden rimmed lotus petals.
A little ways off from the pool was another door, and Xie Lian could only guess that it led into a proper bathroom. The only other thing that stood out to him in this room, was the stacked bookshelf, on the wall behind the bed, as well as a table, with only two chairs. On the table was a board for playing go.
"San Lang?", Xie Lian eventually managed to ask, his voice alone conveying all the confusion he was feeling.
"Does gege like this room?", he asked, mischief plain in his voice.
"I think this room is absolutely lovely, but… what is it for?"
"It's the room I want to use with my future mate for our ruts and heats. It hasn't been used yet, because I still haven't found a mate, but I think it would be a great environment for your healing. The water in the pool is rather cool, so if you ever feel the need to put your ankle in there, you're more than welcome to do that", San Lang explained, while gently lowering Xie Lian onto the extremely comfortable bed.
"I didn't realise we're having a crescent moon", Xie Lian could only reply dumbly, because too many thoughts were running through his head.
San Lang smirked.
"We don't, gege. This is a painting."
Xie Lian had stared at said painting while San Lang had talked, but upon hearing that, he whipped his head around to look at the king, utterly flabbergasted.
"This is a painting? I thought for sure it was real! I was wondering how I'd never noticed such a drastic change of scenery outside the palace, but-... wow. It looks too realistic", he decided.
"Thank you", San Lang grinned, and looked rather pleased with himself.
Xie Lian blinked, before realisation dawned on him.
"You painted this?", he asked in disbelief, and wondered what other talents this alpha was hiding.
"I did", San Lang confirmed, and took a seat at the edge of the bed.
"Incredible. I didn't know San Lang was such a talented artist", Xie Lian praised, and could almost physically see the king preen at his praise.
"It's just a hobby, but I admit I'm rather proud of that one", he said with a nod towards the not-window.
"How long did it take to paint?", Xie Lian asked, honestly curious.
San Lang hummed in contemplation, and, while he was thinking, started fiddling with Xie Lian's headpiece.
"I don't remember exactly. But it should have been around a month, maybe", he said, and by the time he was done talking, he took the headpiece off, and pulled the back veil out from under Xie Lian as well; throwing both things onto the ground carelessly.
"Does San Lang have other paintings he would deign to show me?", Xie Lian couldn't help but ask curiously. If San Lang had such skills in painting, surely it would be a treat for the eyes to see more of it.
The king had reached to unfasten the veil covering Xie Lian's face but paused for a moment when he'd heard his question. He continued to take the veil off however, and only replied after it had joined the other on the ground.
"There are other paintings. I will show you some day", he promised. At least, to Xie Lian it sounded more like a promise than a dismissal.
"I'll be looking forward to it, then", Xie Lian said honestly.
San Lang smiled, and continued to take all the decorative chains off of Xie Lian, until he only had his dancer's garments on, and none of his accessories. It only occurred to him then that maybe he should be concerned about this king's intention behind his actions, but he couldn't quite bring himself to feel disconcerted.
"It's already rather late, gege. You should try to sleep", San Lang said when he was done, and pulled the covers over Xie Lian, up until right under his chin, effectively tucking him in. Xie Lian was feeling torn between embarrassment and endearment at the action. Embarrassment, because he was a grown man, and didn't need to be tucked in like a toddler, and endearment, because of the exact same reason.
"San Lang shouldn't stay up much longer either", Xie Lian replied quietly, the blush on his face rather noticeable.
The king smiled gently.
"I promise I'll head right to bed myself. Sleep well, gege", he said, and leaned down to press a quick kiss to Xie Lian's forehead, before he swiftly left the room.
He was gone before Xie Lian could entirely comprehend what had just happened, but when he did, he squeaked, and hid his head under the covers as well. His face felt flaming hot, but so did his heart, and thus he couldn't help but smile through the shyness he was feeling at such a small but intimate action.
It took him quite a while to fall asleep that night.
Xie Lian woke up with a start when he felt his mattress dip. After coming face to face with a startled looking king, Xie Lian relaxed back into the pillows with a sigh.
"Your Majesty startled me", he chuckled, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"What happened to San Lang?", he asked, instead of addressing the issue Xie Lian had thrown into the room.
"I shouldn't address Your Majesty like that outside your entertainment room, so I-"
"Says who?", the king frowned, and looked rather unhappy.
Xie Lian didn't like seeing him unhappy, he decided then and there. However he struggled to answer his question, because Xie Lian had simply assumed such tomfoolery didn't belong outside that room. He had gotten a bit carried away with it yesterday, but… it wasn't like he could just keep addressing the king with such familiarity.
At Xie Lian's continued silence, the king sighed.
"If gege is not comfortable addressing me as San Lang, he may call me Hua Cheng instead. But please don't call me like a stranger anymore", he said, and Xie Lian was convinced there was a little bit of a pleading tone in his voice.
"Is Hua Cheng your real name?", he asked, recalling that Banyue always called him King Hua.
The king inclined his head, suggesting that it was.
"Alright, San Lang", Xie Lian smiled. "But don't get angry at me if that causes misunderstandings for anyone overhearing."
"I could never get angry at gege. Maybe a bit mad, if gege doesn't take care of himself properly, but not angry", said earnestly, and with a bit of warning; though he also sounded quite happy at being called San Lang again.
Xie Lian blushed, and had half a mind to hide himself under the covers again.
"Will you have breakfast with me?", Hua Cheng then asked, effectively changing this awkward topic.
"I'd love to", Xie Lian said, and made to get out of bed.
Hua Cheng stopped him.
"How's your ankle? Let me see first", he ordered, before Xie Lian could even throw his legs over the edge.
Xie Lian sighed, and petulantly threw his left foot onto the king's lap. The action hurt a bit, but it was definitely worth it for seeing Hua Cheng's dumbfounded face. He just barely managed not to snicker.
Hua Cheng examined his ankle, before he nodded.
"It hasn't gotten worse, that's good."
Xie Lian proceeded to heave himself out of bed, only to get stopped again by Hua Cheng, once he sat up next to him. The king grabbed Xie Lian's arm, and threw it over his shoulder, and then grabbed his wrist to keep his arm in place there, while he clutched Xie Lian's waist with his other arm.
"Don't put any pressure on your foot. Don't think I won't carry you again if I see you doing that", Hua Cheng threatened gently.
"With a warning like that, how could I dare", he replied, pretending to be solemn.
The two stood up then, and Hua Cheng helped Xie Lian hopping down the steps, and through the room, all the way to the small pavilion in the garden, where breakfast was indeed laid out very nicely. Nobody else was around, not even servants or guards. Xie Lian thought this was indeed very peaceful.
Hua Cheng carefully helped him to sit down on the stool, and made sure he was sitting comfortably close to the table, before he grabbed Xie Lian's calf, and laid it to rest upon the stool on the left. Only then did he take a seat himself.
Xie Lian took some time to marvel at the food before him; he hadn't had such variety laid out in front of him since… since he'd still lived in Xian Le, and it was certainly nice to have a companion his age to eat with. Not that he didn't miss Banyue anymore, but he'd also missed talking to someone like Hua Cheng.
"San Lang?", he asked, after they'd eaten in silence for a little while.
"Hm?"
"May I ask… what I've done to earn your favour like this? I feel that with my current… accomplishments… I shouldn't be treated this exceptionally well by you", he admitted quietly.
Hua Cheng just looked at him for a while without saying anything, but his whole face seemed a bit softer than usual. Eventually though, he replied.
"You may. But I may not answer."
Xie Lian had almost expected an answer like that. After all, he really hadn't done anything outstanding to deserve the king playing his servant, especially not outside the king's entertainment room. He guessed that, since he'd been told that Hua Cheng was rather whimsical, treating his new favourite dancer like this, was also one of his whims. He hoped it wasn't the case, because he really enjoyed spending time with Hua Cheng much more than he should, and Hua Cheng seemed earnest enough in his words and actions towards Xie Lian, but then again, Xie Lian wasn't familiar to what extent the king's whims went. He could only hope that this was a whim that would last for a while.
"Why does gege look a bit sad all of a sudden?", Hua Cheng asked, looking a bit put out.
"How long do San Lang's whims usually last?", Xie Lian blurted out helplessly. After all, it was easier to prepare himself, than to suddenly get thrust back to reality outside the king's favour.
Hua Cheng frowned deeply, and seemed to not quite comprehend what Xie Lian was implying.
"My whims ?"
"Isn't it true that you're whimsical? I've been told that-... I spoke out of line. Forgive me", he realised as soon as he saw Hua Cheng's mien darkened drastically.
"Anyone who says I'm whimsical doesn't know me, lacks intelligence, and doesn't understand the bigger picture of my actions. Gege shouldn't associate with people like that. However, there is no such thing as speaking out of line for gege. He may say whatever he thinks; this San Lang will gladly listen to anything he has to say."
That was one hell of a thing to say for a king, Xie Lian knew, and wondered why Hua Cheng insisted on treating him like a well respecting senior, instead of a lowly servant. Was it because Xie Lian used to be the prince of Xian Le, and therefore royalty as well? But he treated Banyue extremely well, too, and she wasn't of royal descent, so Xie Lian highly doubted that the king was impressed enough with titles to behave like this around him. But what other reason could there be?
"I still apologise for ruining San Lang's mood", Xie Lian said, instead of trying to investigate further, for now.
"My mood isn't ruined at all. As long as I have gege around me, how could I not be happy?", the king flirted shamelessly, and effectively caused Xie Lian's head to explode with warmth once again.
"San Lang", he whined, and hid his face behind his hands.
Hua Cheng just snickered, and kept eating; entirely unbothered.