CHAPTER 493: CHAPTER 493 : A WAY OUT

The Heavenly Emperor’s preoccupation that morning was evident. Thankfully, no pressing matters demanded his immediate attention. With a knowing smile, the court officials took their leave, allowing him to gather his emotions before his younger brother’s arrival.

Despite requesting Head Eunuch Lu to head to Fuxi Palace first thing in the morning, two hours elapsed before the eunuch and the Crown Prince arrived at the Golden Dragon Palace. The delay took the form of the Supreme General, who hung himself from Xie Jianyu’s waist, begging him to stay.

Those intervening hours found Xie Jianshen diligently tending to his duties. Petitions were reviewed; the worthless discarded, and the important signed. Yet, a restless energy thrummed beneath the surface. For fifteen minutes, he paced his study, a disquieting mix of anxiety and anticipation warring within him.

Until finally Xie Jianyu arrived.

"Big Brother."

Xie Jianshen slowly raised his head.

Years of yearning coalesced into a single, weighty moment as Xie Jianshen met his younger brother’s gaze. How many sleepless nights had he spent consumed by his disappearance, each dawn a fresh agony? How many anguished pleas for forgiveness had echoed unanswered in the vast emptiness?

Now, Xie Jianyu stood before him, a tangible embodiment of a memory long-grieved. Yet, a suffocating fear rendered Xie Jianshen immobile. He held his breath, his gaze locked on Xie Jianyu like a man transfixed by a phantom. The specter of loss loomed large, threatening to snatch this fragile reunion away if he dared to reach out.

Terror choked his voice, a desperate plea trapped in his dry throat. He couldn’t speak, too afraid that this beautiful apparition might vanish, leaving him once more in the desolate wasteland of his grief.

Before prolonged agony could take root, Xie Jianyu crossed the space between them in a rush of long strides. In a single, fluid motion, he enveloped his elder brother in a tight embrace. Only the warmth of Xie Jianyu’s body pressed against his own finally coaxed a gasp from Xie Jianshen’s starved lungs.

"Big Brother..."

Xie Jianyu choked out, his voice thick with emotion. Tears welled in his eyes, spilling over as he leaned his head against Xie Jianshen’s shoulder. The dam broken, Xie Jianshen mirrored the movement, his own arms rising to encircle his younger brother in a fierce hug.

"Little Yu... Welcome back," he whispered, his voice hoarse with unshed tears.

Despite their profound yearning for each other, a veil of awkwardness draped their reunion. The Xie family legacy, steeped in stoicism, offered no blueprint for open displays of affection. Even their father, the previous Emperor, had maintained a reserved distance. Now, burdened by the mantle of Heavenly Emperor, Xie Jianshen grappled with conflicting emotions. Detachment felt unnatural, yet excessive intimacy bordered on a transgression.

Thus Xie Jianshen took care of Xie Jianyu the way he took care of the latter when the Crown Prince was still a defenseless child -- by feeding him from a table decked with lavish feast.

"Eat this chicken medicinal soup. The ginseng root slices, thousand-year-old fungus bits, and goji berries will help to replenish your qi."

"Thank you, Big Brother."

"Next, eat this bowl of ginger and scallion porridge. I added some minced pork inside to enhance its flavor."

"Thank you, Big Brother."

"And then, you should taste this lotus root and pork bone soup, prepared especially by our palace kitchen’s staff. They are both fragrant and nutritious."

"... Thank you, Big Brother."

"You are also somewhat pale in the face," Xie Jianshen remarked with a frown between his brows. "Maids, bring me a serving of stir-fried pig liver with green peppers at once! I also want a serving of chicken kidney with black beans!"

"... Big Brother, I cannot eat that much."

"It’s fine. Tell the Fuxi Palace kitchen staff to take some rest for the next three months. I will send food to Fuxi Palace three times a day."

"... Big Brother."

Xie Jianyu grasped his brother’s hand, a silent acknowledgment etched on his face. The past five years as Heavenly Emperor had etched lines of worry onto Xie Jianshen’s face, and his frame had thinned considerably. Perhaps it was Xie Jianshen who needed the nourishing meals more than him.

"Hm?"

"I am so happy to see you again."

A tide of crimson washed over the corners of Xie Jianshen’s eyes, betraying the storm of emotions churning within. Though his heart hammered a frantic rhythm, the only sound that escaped his lips was a choked whisper, a mere "Um" lost in the vast emptiness between them.

Although he tried his best to keep Xie Jianyu around for the longest time possible, eventually the Crown Prince had to go home.

Unwilling to part from his younger brother so soon, Xie Jianshen took the initiative to send Xie Jianyu to the palace gate, shocking all those who saw them.

"I will be back tomorrow," Xie Jianyu remarked. "I will attend the morning assembly every day from now on."

"Can we eat breakfast together afterward?" Xie Jianshen asked, full of hope.

Xie Jianyu beamed at his elder brother.

"Of course, Big Brother."

"Mm, then it’s good. Don’t forget to rest a lot."

"I will."

Xie Jianyu swung himself on top of Wangshu, who was more than happy to see Xie Jianyu again. The horse kept turning its head to pepper Xie Jianyu’s hand with kisses.

"Little Yu, wait."

Xie Jianyu glanced at his elder brother, slight confusion spread over his face.

"What is it, Big Brother?"

"Um..."

Xie Jianshen turned to look at Head Eunuch Lu, who quickly approached with a golden scroll on a tray. Xie Jianshen took the golden scroll from the tray and handed it to Xie Jianyu.

"Just in case you need a way out," Xie Jianshen remarked. "Now that I am the Heavenly Emperor, I will make sure that you don’t have to suffer anymore."

"..."

Puzzled by Xie Jianshen’s words, Xie Jianyu unrolled the scroll on the spot. It was a royal decree, an official order to end Xie Jianyu and Zhang Fengxi’s marital relationship.