- Chapter Start –
After the lanterns are hung up to everyone's satisfaction, namely Fang DuoBing's, he sets a cloth wrapped bundle on the table and unwraps it. Inside are two sets of robes which he holds up, beaming.
"With compliments from Tianji Hall!"
"For tonight's dinner. Of course." Li LianHua mentally kicks himself for not realising he would need nicer robes.
"Who else will be there?" Di FeiSheng demands, looking displeased.
"Just family - a-die, a-niang, xiaoyee - oh, and Zhan-huwei. He proposed to xiaoyee last night so they're engaged!"
"That's good news," Li LianHua says with a smile.
"Very," Di FeiSheng drawls.
Li LianHua bites back a smile as Di FeiSheng holds the green robes against himself, checking the length. He'll look good in it. Not that he doesn't already.
Wait…what?
"A-die normally invites his good friends over, but not this year," Fang DuoBing continues, no longer smiling. "He says it's in lieu of the recent incident with… Shan GuDao."
There's a moment of silence.
"Anyway!" Fang DuoBing continues with a determined smile. "A-niang says you and A-Fei are the only guests for dinner tonight."
Li LianHua glances at Di FeiSheng and gets a nod of agreement.
"Li LianHua, you go wash up first," Fang DuoBing prompts." A-Li has hot water ready and waiting in the tent."
- o –
Li LianHua's robes are in heavy maroon silk with delicate lotus flowers embroidered on the front lapels and sleeve hems. They're also a perfect fit. Feeling a bit self-conscious, he emerges from the tent to see Fang DuoBing and Di FeiSheng waiting for him.
The way they start smiling – in unison, no less – brings a sense of deja vu.
"I seem to recall another set of robes with lots of silver decorations," Fang DuoBing remarks.
"And a matching silver crown," Di FeiSheng agrees.
Li LianHua glares at both of them, wishing he hadn't lost the game of 'Rock, Paper, Scissors' at Cailian Manor.
"Aha - anyway, it's my turn to wash up." Fang DuoBing scurries off.
Li LianHua continues glaring at Di FeiSheng whose face has gone blurry. He blinks again but his vision doesn't clear.
"Li LianHua?" Di FeiSheng asks.
Fang DuoBing turns around at once.
"What is it?"
Li LianHua closes his eyes, wincing as a headache starts up, striking sharply between his eyes. Two hands grab his arms, urging him to sit down before checking his pulse.
"I'm fine," he mutters and isn't surprised when he's ignored. The same two hands then press firmly on his chest and back. If it's an invasion of personal space, it's one that's not unwelcome.
Li LianHua breathes out shakily when twin streams of Qi enter him – warm and familiar. Keeping his eyes closed, he starts directing the flow of energy through his damaged body. The two of them had already given him some energy yesterday during his bath.
He didn't think he'd need more so soon.
- o –
By the time Di FeiSheng emerges from the tent, almost forty five minutes have passed. At Li LianHua's insistence, Fang DuoBing sent a messenger bird to inform Madam He of their delay.
"I hope you two aren't expecting me to trek up that hill," Li LianHua quips, hoping to lighten the sombre look on their faces. He feels more energised and his vision is clear once more.
"Of course not! Tianji Hall would never demand that of an honoured guest," Fang DuoBing says with forced cheer. "Zhan-huwei said he'll bring a-niang's carriage here."
"You can ride in it," Di FeiSheng tells him. "I will bring Li LianHua."
He cuts a dashing figure in those rich green robes. Not that Li LianHua will ever tell him that, of course.
"I don't need a-" Fang DuoBing breaks off at the faint whistling in the air and rustle of grass.
The three of them turn around. Li LianHua is both touched and amused when Fang DuoBing and Di FeiSheng step in front of him, but their vigilance isn't necessary since it's Qiao WanMian and Xiao ZiJin.
"Li XiangYi!" Qiao WanMian comes forward with quick strides, forcing Fang DuoBing and Di FeiSheng to step aside lest she walks straight into them. Ignoring Di FeiSheng's glare, she grasps Li LianHua's hands in hers.
"A-Mian. Xiao ZiJin," Li LianHua greets with a smile. He doesn't see Fang DuoBing snagging Di FeiSheng's sleeve and attempting to tug him away. "Why are you two here?"
"Li-mengzhu." Xiao ZiJin claps his hands together and bows, looking like he would rather be anywhere than here.
"ZiJin told us what happened at Wangjiang Pavilion. How are you?" Qiao WanMian looks Li LianHua up and down as if fearing he might drop dead at her feet any moment.
"I'm still alive, don't worry." Keeping the smile on his face, Li LianHua tugs his hands free. "ZiJin, I guess I have you to thank for setting these two on my trail?"
Xiao ZiJin nods, shoulders hunched.
"I'm glad he did," Qiao WanMian says.
"We are as well," Fang DuoBing speaks up. "Are you two uh, joining us for dinner?"
"Oh no, we're not," Qiao WanMian assures him. "I just – we wanted to know if you and Di-mengzhu found Li LianHua. The others – Fo Bi Bai Shi – are worried too. Can we come again tomorrow?"
"No," Di FeiSheng says.
"The day after," Fang DuoBing says at the same time.
Li LianHua sighs.
"Just you, A-Mian. You and ZiJin."
Qiao WanMian blinks, her eyes going from a frowning Di FeiSheng to a worried Fang DuoBing and back to Li LianHua.
"The day after then," she says with reluctance.
"Let's go," Di FeiSheng says with a final glare at Xiao ZiJin. Grabbing Li LianHua's arm, he flies into the air, startling a cry from him.
"Wait for me!" Fang DuoBing shouts. "Ahh, please excuse me."
- o -
Tianji Hall is ablaze with lanterns of different shapes and sizes, from tall ones coming up to Li LianHua's waist, to tiny ones like those Fang DuoBing purloined earlier.
Minister Fang, Madam He, He XiaoFeng and Zhan YunFei are at the entrance, waiting to greet them.
"Fang-daren, He-tangzhu." Li LianHua bows with his hands clasped together. "My apologies for the delay, and again for not visiting earlier."
"Nonsense," Madam He declares with a big smile. "Your health is more important, Li-shengyi."
"Agreed. Besides, you have helped us immeasurably," Minister Fang adds. "Our home is always open to you, and to Di-mengzhu of course."
"We can call him A-Fei," Madam He tells him in a loud whisper.
Li LianHua could swear Di FeiSheng's right eye twitches, but he doesn't say anything.
"Thank you for these lovely robes and your kind hospitality," Li LianHua continues. "I fear I have inconvenienced you all by insisting on staying at Lotus Tower."
"Think nothing of it," Madam He assures him.
"How are you feeling?" He XiaoFeng asks.
"Fine, He-guniang," Li LianHua lies. "Congratulations to you and Zhan-xiong on your upcoming nuptials."
He XiaoFeng beams at him and links her arm with Zhan YunFei's.
"Thank you," Zhan YunFei says with a brief bow.
"Well, let's not stand here in the cold. Come in, come in!" Madam He ushers them inside.
- o -
As expected, dinner is a feast of multiple courses, accompanied by excellent wine and even entertainment in the form of graceful dancers. Li LianHua would enjoy it more if not for Di FeiSheng and Fang DuoBing who sit on either side of him and persist in filling his bowl with choice morsels.
"Stop that," he mutters out of the corner of his mouth when Di FeiSheng selects the biggest pork rib and places it in his bowl.
"Stop that," he hisses when Fang DuoBing practically snatches a succulent piece of fish from Minister Fang's chopsticks and places it in his bowl.
It's embarrassing! At least, until Zhan YunFei takes a leaf out of their books and starts plying an equally smitten He XiaoFeng with food as well.
Meanwhile, Madam He proves herself to be a gracious hostess, keeping conversation and laughter flowing yet ensuring that very little is required of Li LianHua except to smile, nod and add an occasional comment. Midway through dinner, he stops eating and tries his best to smother a yawn or two. By the time dessert is served – an exquisite selection of mooncakes and fresh fruits, all beautifully presented – he's hard pressed to keep his eyes open.
"A-niang, we can't eat another bite," Fang DuoBing protests.
"Of course," Madam He says at once with a swift glance at Li LianHua. "In fact, I almost forgot that a few of our friends are going to drop by to view the moon with us."
"That's great!" Fang DuoBing jumps to his feet. "Don't bother to see us out. We'll just-"
"You will stay right here."
"But a-niang-"
"Listen to your mother," Minister Fang says.
"You can see us tomorrow, XiaoBao," Li LianHua says, clapping a downcast Fang DuoBing on the shoulder.
"First thing in the morning," Fang DuoBing promises and hands Di FeiSheng the fur lined cloak. "Take good care of Li LianHua and keep your hands-"
"Ahh, thank you for the wonderful feast, Fang-daren, He-tangzhu," Li LianHua quickly cuts in, ignoring Di FeiSheng's glare and He XiaoFeng's giggle. "Goodnight!"
- o –
The full moon is a huge bright orb in the sky, illuminating the terrace and grounds of Tianji Hall with silvery light. Di FeiSheng drapes the cloak around Li LianHua and fastens the clasp.
"I think we should've asked XiaoBao for a carriage," Li LianHua remarks, patting his middle. "I ate too much."
"I won't use qinggong this time," Di FeiSheng assures him.
"I'm too full to be carried on your back."
"I won't piggyback you either."
"I'll bring up my dinner if you throw me over your shoulder like a sack of – ahhhhhhhhh!" Li LianHua flings his arms around Di FeiSheng's neck as they fly through the air, down the hill and straight for the upper floor of Lotus Tower.
Di FeiSheng's control is impeccable. He lands without making a sound and lowers himself to sit cross legged on the floor. Finding himself in Di FeiSheng's lap, Li LianHua quickly scrambles off only to land in a pile of cushions. Nearby is a basket of mooncakes and assorted snacks, a jug of wine and two cups.
"A-Fei, when did you prepare all this?"
"Earlier this evening," Di FeiSheng says, looking rather pleased with himself. "Let the Fang family have their moon viewing party. We will have our own."
Li LianHua can't help a huff of amusement. He looks up at the moon, oblivious to the hooded gaze fixed upon his face.
"That day-"
"That day-"
Li LianHua turns to Di FeiSheng and shakes his head, chuckling. Di FeiSheng doesn't laugh, but the smile on his face makes up for it.
"So, Di-mengzhu," Li LianHuo can't help asking, "do you think the moon tonight is more beautiful, or the one in the newlywed chamber, or on the night we fought ten years ago?"
Di FeiSheng doesn't answer immediately. He pours them wine, sets down the jug and passes Li LianHua one of the cups, their fingers brushing.
"The moon is most beautiful when I get to see it with you," he finally says.
Li LianHua's throat tightens at once. He clinks their cups together, aware that his hand is trembling. The wind picks up, ruffling their hair.
"Cold? Sit closer to me."
"You're the one who should be cold. I'm already wearing my cloak," Li LianHua points out.
"Then share it," Di FeiSheng suggests, one corner of his lips quirking.
Against his better judgement, Li LianHua shifts closer and holds out one end of the cloak. Di FeiSheng pulls it around himself while underneath, his other arm goes around Li LianHua's shoulders, drawing him even closer.
"Comfortable?"
"Yes."
"Li LianHua, I-"
"A-Fei, don't."
"I would hold you like this every night," Di FeiSheng continues as if not hearing him. The unvoiced but implied 'If I could' seem to hang in the air.
Li LianHua's eyes burn.
"I would let you," he whispers. Just sitting here like this is enough. But as they admire the moon and sip the wine, he knows he's lying to himself.
It will never be enough.
- Chapter End -