Chapter Text
Strong, steady footsteps echoed ominously off the intimidating stone walls of Qiong Ding Palace. As one of the Emperor’s favored vessels, Qi Qingqi was privileged enough to see these grand halls and all their treasures regularly. But today she had no time to waste admiring the might of the empire.
Since she had sent a disciple beforehand urgently requesting a meeting with Emperor Yue and his Consort, she didn’t wait for the throne room guard to announce her presence. With a heavy thud, she forced the door open, directly bowing before the throne.
“Lady Qi.” Emperor Yue greeted politely, though there was an underlying tension in his voice.
Compared to the hot-headed and ill-tempered Southern Lord, Liu Qingge, she rarely broke composure and had only called for an urgent meeting once in her five hundred years of service. Emperor Yue seemed to sense that whatever news she brought, it could be severe enough to overturn the empire.
Qi Qingqi couldn’t help but glance at the two thrones, particularly at the Prince Consort, Shen Qingqiu. As always, he was dressed in fine green silks and enough jewels to buy half the nations in the world. Though none of that finery could soften his sharp, aloof expression.
“Your Majesties.” Qi Qingqi finally said. “I believe I have located the missing prince.”
At her words, Shen Qingqiu flinched, his posture stiffening. This wasn’t the first time someone had come claiming to have seen the missing prince. But Qi Qingqi had never intentionally lied to her lords nor was she one to exaggerate. If she said she believed she saw the prince, then she truly believed she had seen him.
“Where?” Shen Qingqiu demanded, his tone sharper than normal. Restlessly he stood, summoning his treasured sword Xiu Ya to his side. “I will investigate personally.” He declared.
“Xiao Jiu.” Yue Qingyuan took Shen Qingqiu’s free hand, standing to comfort him. “Let’s hear the details first. It may just be another child who looks like our A-Yuan.” He tried to temper Shen Qingqiu’s expectations. How many times in the past fifteen years have they heard something similar only to find it was a mistake, or worse a trap to lure them away from the palace?
“Then speak.” Shen Qingqiu demanded again, looking down on Qi Qingqi, his expression fierce.
“Yes, Consort Shen.” She replied, recalling the battles against the Heavenly Immortal’s Mountain sect.
“As you are aware, I was leading my disciples on a training mission against a righteous sect in the human realm. We fought according to demonic custom, three righteous disciples against three of my own. In the final battle, a young man matching the prince’s age came forth. They called him Shen Yuan as well. He used righteous cultivation methods, but despite being a senior disciple his skill was far too weak. However, he was cunning and managed to achieve victory. During the fight however, I sensed a small burst of demonic qi from him. Moreover, His appearance would match what I believe the prince would look like if he was still alive.”
Shen Qingqiu’s hand trembled at the information. All these years he was tormented day and night, thinking of his missing child. Now, with such persuasive evidence before him, how could he sit still and wait even a second longer?
“Xiao Jiu.” Yue Qingyuan called firmly. “I understand your feelings but we need to be careful. If we act too quickly this time we may not only put ourselves, but A-Yuan in danger.”
“Shut up and let go of me.” Shen Qingqiu wasn’t interested in indulging his husband’s cautiousness right now. So what if he had to burn an entire righteous sect to the ground personally. How dare they hide his child from him?
“Even if you’re powerful you can’t take on a whole sect alone, let alone assure you can safely get A-Yuan back. Once they realize he’s a demonic prince, they’ll come for his life. And you know I can’t help you fight in the state I’m in right now. I will begin gathering the army and we’ll plan a strategic time to attack. Until then, let’s send a shadow guard to infiltrate the sect and confirm Lady Qi’s information.” Yue Qingyuan reasoned. “Don’t worry Xiao Jiu. If it is indeed our A-Yuan I won’t stop at anything to take him back. I swear to you, once we have him back nothing will separate our family ever again.”
Shen Qingqiu let out a frustrated sigh and sat down on his throne.
“If there is so much as a scratch on my child when I see him it’s not only the righteous sects that will have to worry.” Shen Qingqiu threatened his husband.
“Of course. Xiao Jiu can hit me as many times as he likes if I fail to protect our son.” Yue Qingyuan easily agreed. Shen Qingqiu huffed, looking away from his husband.
“Rat, report quickly and leave.” Shen Qingqiu suddenly said, looking to the door of the throne room. A cowardly looking man jumped, the papers in his arms falling to the ground.
“Lord Shang.” Yue Qingyuan briefly greeted. “What is the situation in the human realm?”
“Ah, y-yes Your Majesty.” Shang Qinghua, the administrative lord and imperial spy, properly stood before the thrones.
“Perhaps this can be of assistance to Your Majesties. Recently the righteous sects have begun preparing for the Immortal Alliance Conference where disciples from all the major sects will compete to defeat demonic beasts. During that time, we can open the rift to the Endless Abyss and sow chaos in the human realm. Not only would it provide cover for rescuing the prince, it will also cause serious damage to the righteous sects.”
Although Shang Qinghua was known as a cowardly demon, a weak outcast amongst his peers, he was as cunning and occasionally ruthless as any other demon. Not to mention his skill in palace administration earned him a high position despite his physical weakness.
Hearing this proposal Shen Qingqiu smiled.
“You’re finally earning your keep.” He praised. “Husband, I will personally oversee the invasion during the conference.” Shen Qingqiu left no room for argument. Yue Qingyuan sighed, knowing there was no hope in debating the issue now.
“I will work with Lord Shang and Lady Qi to make the preparations. How about you rest for now, Xiao Jiu?” Yue Qingyuan knew this news would be emotionally taxing on his husband. No one took the loss of their prince as hard as him.
“Fine.” Shen Qingqiu didn’t like dealing with such boring matters anyway.
He stood, graciously exiting the throne room. However, instead of going to the room he shared with this husband, he entered the room right beside theirs. It was a massive room, decorated with treasures. In one corner lay a bed. Although it had been lowered to the ground so a child could easily climb in, recently they had raised the bed back to a normal height. The sheets on the bed were freshly changed, the luxurious silk soft to the touch.
Around the bed were shelves filled with books fit for all ages, from storybooks for infants to all the necessary texts a prince must study. Not only books, toys and birthday presents for all ages filled the room. There were baby rattles next to fine, spiritual swords. Cultivation novels by wooden blocks for playing.
Shen Qingqiu sat on a chair by the window, looking out at the bamboo forest Yue Qingyuan had planted for him around the palace. Unwillingly, memories of walking through that forest, a small, soft hand in his own came to mind. To maintain his dignified appearance, Shen Qingqiu always walked with a slow, unhurried pace, but with his A-Yuan he had to go even slower to make sure those tiny legs could keep up.
They had only spent five years together but those five years weighed on Shen Qingqiu more than anything in his long, immortal life. There were times the pain in his chest suffocated him, making him wish he’d never picked up that little abandoned baby on his trip with Yue Qingyuan. But he knew, deep down, if he ever went back in time he’d save that child again in a heartbeat. All the pain he’s endured is nothing compared to the happiness he had with his A-Yuan.
A familiar, dark fury rose within Shen Qingqiu. When the time came to get his child back not even Yue Qingyuan would be able to stop him from ripping off the limbs of all those who dared to steal away his child. Those damned kidnappers, this damned righteous sect, no one would be safe from his wrath.
Shen Qingqiu slowly rose from his seat. Soon. Soon this room wouldn’t be just an empty husk. Screw what Yue Qingyuan said. He’ll err on the side of caution for now, but if he had to, he’d personally set fire to the sect leader of Heavenly Immortal’s Mountain sect to bring back his son.
“Just wait a little longer, A-Yuan. I’ll bring you home.” He promised.