Chapter 23: Bewitched

When the two of them returned to the inner chamber, freshly washed and rid of all stickiness, the room had already been tidied anew. The bed was spread with a pristine, dark red brocade sheet, matched with embroidered pillows of the same hue. At the head of the bed stood a blue-and-white porcelain incense burner, from which delicate wisps of pale smoke curled upward, suffusing the room with a faint, mysterious fragrance that all but swept away any lingering trace of passion.

Beigong Qiyi sprawled out on the bed, stretching his limbs and exhaling in comfort. He wore only a white silk undergarment, the sash tied loosely at his waist, so that with this languid movement, the belt came undone, revealing a fair, smooth chest—skin flushed a delicate pink from the hot bath, setting off the two roseate points above his heart. His cheeks, too, bore a faint blush, and his long, glossy black hair fanned out over the dark red bedding, a vision of beauty pushed to its very limits.

Beigong Juechen nudged him further in. The youth, too lazy to open his eyes, shifted slightly inward and soon felt another warm body settle beside him. A small smile played at the corners of Qiyi’s lips as he rolled over to drape himself across the man’s chest. Beigong Juechen frowned, intending to push him away, but then he saw the youth’s content, smiling face as he lay there with eyes closed. It brought to mind the younger Qiyi—softer, gentler. A trace of tenderness surfaced in Juechen’s dark green eyes, and he laughed softly, “How is it that, grown as you are, you’re still the same as when you were a child?”

Qiyi nuzzled his shoulder and laughed quietly, “No matter how old I get, I’ll always be your little brother.”

Yes, this was his younger brother, his one blood relative, the last person left in this world who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him. Beigong Juechen thought so, and a peculiar feeling rose in his heart. He could not help but wrap an arm around the youth’s waist, murmuring, “Sleep now.”

Qiyi gave a soft “mm,” nestled in the man’s embrace, and soon slipped into deep slumber. Juechen closed his eyes as well, and before long, he too drifted into dreams. On the candelabrum, crimson wax tears had pooled, the orange flames flickered gently, and the youth slowly opened his eyes.

He looked up to see the man’s peaceful, sleeping face. Lifting a lock of the man’s hair to his nose, he inhaled the faint, familiar scent. Qiyi smiled slightly, then leaned over to press a soft kiss to the man’s lips. Softer than he had imagined. Taking a deep breath, he felt as though he might be intoxicated…

The man stirred slightly. Only then did Qiyi, reluctant, settle back into his arms, hugging his waist and finally succumbing to real sleep.

※※※

The lake was clear as glass, the scent of flowers faint in the air. In a cool pavilion, two youths in splendid attire sat across from each other at a stone table, their conversation lively and warm.

Qiyi poured a cup of tea and, smiling, asked, “What brings you here? Didn’t you used to say you were terrified of my brother?” The young man in purple across from him curled his lips. “If not for your birthday, I wouldn’t have come to deliver a present.”

Qiyi chuckled, sipping his tea. “So, what fine thing have you prepared for me?”

Chu Muji raised an eyebrow, flicking his fan and sneering, “My gift has long since been delivered to the Manor. By now, it’s probably lost amid the mountain of offerings.” Qiyi ran his fingers along the smooth teacup and nodded, “Then I’ll have to go searching for it myself.”

His hand was as slender and translucent as jade, the skin so pale that faint blue veins showed beneath, unblemished and flawless—like a freshly peeled egg, even the nails were clear as crystal, delicate as scallion stalks. But Chu Muji knew well that though this hand looked as beautiful as a woman’s, the strength it possessed was astonishing. Even those fragile-looking nails could serve as lethal weapons.

Noticing his gaze, Qiyi laughed, “What, are you mesmerized?” Chu Muji started, then recovered, snorting, “A man with hands like a woman’s.” At that, Qiyi scoffed, “My brother’s hands are like this as well. If you have the nerve, go say that to him.”

Chu Muji choked on his words, glared, and muttered, “Can you stop scaring me with your brother all the time?” Qiyi was about to reply, but, seeing someone approach in the distance, a smile flickered across his lips. He arched an eyebrow, “And why shouldn’t I?”

Because he was facing away, Chu Muji didn’t see the newcomer and kept talking, “You know I’m afraid of your brother, and yet you keep bringing him up…” As he spoke, a chill crept over him and he shivered, grabbing the hot tea for warmth, “Strange… why is it suddenly so cold?”

“I didn’t know I was so frightening.” The deep, chilly voice sounded behind him, and Chu Muji jolted, dropping the teacup in fright. Qiyi quickly interjected, “That set is the finest mutton-fat jade; now you’ve broken one, the rest are useless. You’ll have to compensate for the whole set.” Chu Muji, sweating coldly, could hardly bargain and only nodded frantically.

Beigong Juechen now seated himself beside them. Chu Muji stood stiffly, bowing and forcing a smile, “Greetings, Master.” Juechen raised an eyebrow, his sharp features cool and remote, his fingers idly turning the green thumb ring he wore. Bowed as he was, Chu Muji’s gaze landed on the man’s hand and, recalling Qiyi’s words, he had to admit their truth.

That hand was long and powerful, the joints pronounced, the skin as white as snow, almost translucent beneath the emerald ring. Even the nails shone with a faint pink luster—exquisite. And now, that beautiful hand reached out before him, coming to rest on his shoulder with a tap neither light nor heavy. Then the man’s low, magnetic voice, “Sit.” Only then did Chu Muji’s heart settle somewhat.

Seeing his friend so frightened, Qiyi burst out laughing. Chu Muji shot him a subtle glare before bowing his head again. Juechen snorted, “Look at me—am I really so terrifying?”

Chu Muji quickly raised his head as ordered and, for a moment, saw before him not a man, but a peerless sword—deadly sharp, yet so beautiful it stole one’s breath.

Juechen, seeing his dazed look, suddenly smiled. The curve of that smile was perfect, so beautiful it was almost unreal—yet it sent a shudder through Chu Muji. He swallowed and averted his gaze, only to catch Qiyi staring intently at the man’s lips, eyes burning with emotion, so intense it startled Chu Muji. But in the next instant, the youth lowered his gaze, and when he looked up again, his expression was once more serene.

Qiyi himself didn’t quite understand what came over him. Seeing the man smile at Chu Muji, a surge of anger had risen in his heart—he wanted to rush over and cover the man’s face, letting him smile only for him. He dropped his gaze, and when he caught the complicated look on Chu Muji’s face, a faint smile played at his lips. So you’ve noticed…

“Brother, what brings you here?” Qiyi’s expression was unchanged as he smiled at the man. Juechen picked up the teapot and replied in a low voice, “Why? Am I disturbing you?” Qiyi shook his head, snatching the teapot from him to pour a cup of tea, “Of course not. I just thought you’d be busy right now.”

Juechen glanced at him, sipped the steaming tea, “Let the servants deal with those trivial matters.” Chu Muji, hearing his carefully chosen gift called trivial, didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. But then Qiyi said, “The rest I can ignore, but I do want to see what Muji brought me.”

Juechen cast a half-smile at Chu Muji and pulled a delicate box from his robes, tossing it to Qiyi. “I’ve seen his gift already. I thought he meant it for me—I didn’t know you’d taken a liking to jade.” Qiyi opened the box to find a piece of flawless jade within, both in quality and color. He put it away, then turned to Chu Muji with a smile, “I didn’t know either.” Yet in his eyes was a subtle warning.

Chu Muji had always thought Qiyi liked that particular shade of jade, but now, looking at the man’s dark green embroidered robe and recalling what had happened in the “Riverside Pavilion,” he realized everything made sense.

Juechen finished his tea, stood, and tapped the stone table with his elegant fingers, “I’ll leave you two to your conversation.”

Once the man’s figure had faded into the distance, Chu Muji exhaled in relief and wiped the cold sweat from his brow. He looked at Qiyi, frowning, “Beigong, you…”

Qiyi gazed down at the place where Juechen had just been sitting, sighing softly. He picked up the man’s cup and gently caressed it, “He’s beautiful, isn’t he?”

Chu Muji’s frown deepened, “If anything, you’re even more striking than he is.” Qiyi only smiled and shook his head, “It’s not the same. He has a face like that, but he’s so powerful you can’t help but want to bow before him. Do you understand that feeling? Being afraid, but still wanting to hold him tight, to merge him into your own body…”

“Beigong, that’s obsession…” Chu Muji said. Qiyi gazed out at the pond, where lotus flowers still bloomed, though it was already early autumn and their season long past. He remembered a small boy standing among the lotuses years ago and smiled faintly, “I know…”

Unable to stand it, Chu Muji rapped him on the head with his fan, “If you know, why not rein yourself in? He’s your brother. If he ever found out what’s in your heart, what do you think he’d do?” Qiyi, startled by the blow, felt a flash of anger, but seeing the worry on his friend’s face, it faded away. “That’s why I have to surpass him, so he can never escape me.”

“You?” Chu Muji snorted. “You won’t surpass him for decades, if ever.” Qiyi only laughed, his narrow, beautiful eyes narrowing further, sending a shiver down Chu Muji’s spine. “I don’t have to be stronger in martial arts than him. There are other ways…”

Chu Muji frowned, thoughtful, then shook his head with a wry smile, “You’re hopeless…”

When obsession runs too deep, it becomes a demon.