Chrysanthemum Cake

The weather was fine, and the bustling street was crowded with people. The cacophony of voices and the cries of street vendors filled the air, never ceasing. A man, elegantly dressed in splendid attire, gently swayed a feather fan in his hand, surveying his surroundings with a smile, exuding an air of effortless charm. Yet the four people encircling him wore expressions of solemn vigilance.

"The nation's prosperity and strength are precisely what the country needs," the man in embroidered robes murmured quietly. The person walking beside him nodded in agreement, "You are right, sir. The nation thrives, the people flourish, and there is an atmosphere of peace and harmony."

The man’s thick eyebrows furrowed as he snapped his fan shut with a crisp sound. "Is that so?" he laughed under his breath. The person who had just replied immediately paled, quickly lowering his head and remaining silent. The man’s gaze wandered idly over the crowd, the smile at his lips growing increasingly enigmatic. "Now, though the country is wealthy and the people strong, the external threats have not been repelled, internal affairs are unstable, and many still covet power. He knows how to govern, but sadly, he cannot wage war." The man shook his head, but his gaze lingered unconsciously as he passed over a certain spot.

Beigong Qiyi stood hesitantly before the "Imperial Cuisine Pavilion," deliberated for a moment, then walked inside. The owner greeted him with a smile. "Ah, young master, you’re here. What would you like today?" Beigong Qiyi glanced around, suddenly noticing a tray of crystal-clear pastries resembling chrysanthemums. He raised an eyebrow and pointed, asking, "What are those?"

The owner followed his finger and replied, "These are chrysanthemum cakes—sweet, soft and crumbly, they melt in the mouth and leave a lingering fragrance. They have a cooling effect and help dispel internal heat."

"Chrysanthemum cake, cooling and soothing..." Beigong Qiyi’s smile grew sly. "I’ll have those, give me a portion." The shopkeeper hurried to wrap up a large serving and handed it to Beigong Qiyi. "Would you like anything else, young master?" Beigong Qiyi took the cakes and shook his head, smiling, "No, this is perfect."

"Shopkeeper, put this gentleman’s purchase on my account." Beigong Qiyi looked up at the voice, seeing the elegantly dressed man watching him with a pleasant smile. Beigong Qiyi smiled and asked, "Sir, do we know each other?" The man in embroidered robes shook his head. "We’re meeting for the first time today, but seeing your distinguished bearing, I felt compelled to make your acquaintance."

Beigong Qiyi nodded. The gentleman saw his lack of response, but showed no embarrassment, continuing, "My name is Zhao Xi. May I ask yours...?" Beigong Qiyi glanced at him, indifferent, "Bai Qiyi."

"Qiyi, what a fine name," Zhao Xi praised, tapping his palm with the handle of his fan. Beigong Qiyi exchanged a few words with the shopkeeper, then, carrying the chrysanthemum cake, passed Zhao Xi, saying quietly, "Thank you, Sir Zhao. But this pastry shop belongs to my family. Consider your purchase a gift from me today."

With that, Beigong Qiyi strode out without a backward glance. Zhao Xi watched the youth's retreating figure, a determined smile slowly curving his lips. He beckoned, and his subordinate came forward. Though the boy disappeared into the crowd, Zhao Xi kept his gaze on the direction he'd gone, amused. "Go find out who he is."

Such a beautiful and proud youth—truly enticing... Zhao Xi stroked his lower lip, his smile deepening.

Returning to "Li Manor," Beigong Qiyi went straight to the "Leisure Pavilion." The maids and attendants had all been dismissed, leaving the spacious room utterly silent. As Beigong Qiyi entered the inner chamber, he saw Xi Mo carrying a large basin of clothes out. Upon seeing him, Xi Mo lowered his head, hesitating to speak.

Beigong Qiyi tossed his outer robe to Xi Mo, as if nothing had happened yesterday. "What is elder brother doing?" Beigong Qiyi removed his hair ornament, tying his long hair loosely at the nape of his neck as he asked lightly. Xi Mo pursed his lips and replied, head lowered, "The master is reading."

Reading? Beigong Qiyi raised an eyebrow, swept aside the jade-green curtain, and strode in.

The empty room was filled only with the sound of wind blowing in from the window. Upon entering, Beigong Qiyi felt a chill wash over him and frowned, quickly walking to shut the window.

Beigong Juechen was leaning against the headboard, reading. His slender fingers rested on the page, revealing a wrist of flawless ivory. The man wore a deep green shawl, his long hair unbound and cascading down. His handsome face bore a faint expression, and though Beigong Qiyi entered, he didn’t look up. Watching him, Beigong Qiyi felt his anger gradually dissipate.

He approached quietly and sat beside the man, reaching out to straighten the shawl that had slipped from his shoulders. Glancing at the book in his hands, he asked with a smile, "What are you reading, brother?" Beigong Juechen closed the book. Beigong Qiyi glanced at the title, his smile freezing. He picked up the book and leafed through it indifferently. "So that's what you're reading."

"Ruler as ruler, minister as minister, father as father, son as son." Beigong Juechen spoke only those eight words. Beigong Qiyi tossed the book aside, grasped the man's hands, and said, "A ruler is a ruler, a minister is a minister, a father is a father, and a son is a son. But you are not my father, nor am I your son."

Beigong Juechen gazed at him coldly. "The elder brother is like a father." Beigong Qiyi scoffed, "Since when have you cared for propriety?" He stroked the elegant, warm hands in his own. "You’ve always acted with unchecked will—when did such things ever matter to you?"

Beigong Juechen looked at him, his deep green eyes devoid of emotion. Beigong Qiyi shook his head, defeated. He squeezed the man's hand gently. "Come, brother, walk with me. I bought you some pastries." The man glanced at the exquisitely wrapped box on the table, withdrew his hand, and walked over.

Beigong Qiyi looked at his empty hands and instinctively clenched them, then, realizing his own reaction, laughed wryly and shook his head. He moved to sit beside his brother, resting his chin on his hand as he watched him open the box.

Seeing the chrysanthemum-shaped cakes, Beigong Juechen's face darkened. Beigong Qiyi picked one up and brought it to the man’s lips, laughing softly, "Try it, brother—this is chrysanthemum cake, good for cooling and soothing." Beigong Juechen took the pastry from the youth’s hand, raising an eyebrow. "Cooling and soothing?" He stuffed the cake into Beigong Qiyi’s mouth. "Then you should eat more—to cool your temper."

Beigong Qiyi’s face turned red and his neck thickened as he gulped down a large glass of water, finally managing to swallow the mouthful of chrysanthemum cake. He gasped, "Brother, are you trying to murder your own kin?" Beigong Juechen’s face, which had been tinged with humor, darkened again. He narrowed his eyes at the youth, coldly, "What did you just say?"

Feeling the chill emanate from the man, Beigong Qiyi swallowed hard, widening his eyes with a pitiful look. "Could you pretend you didn’t hear what I just said?" Beigong Juechen snorted and walked to the window.

Outside, the towering trees had shed their leaves, a layer of yellow scattered on the ground and some resting on the windowsill. Beigong Juechen picked up a leaf—the once vibrant green now dried and yellowed. With a twist, it crumbled to dust. Beigong Qiyi went over and gently embraced him from behind, whispering in his ear, "Brother, isn’t this good? Could you try to love me?"

Beigong Juechen gazed at the window, expressionless. After a long moment, he lowered his eyes, his lips parted slightly. "Alright." As if surprised by the answer, Beigong Qiyi was stunned, then turned his brother around, his black eyes aglow with joy. "Brother, is that true?"

Beigong Juechen looked at the unrestrained happiness on the youth’s face. A complex emotion flickered in his deep green eyes, but the youth, lost in his joy, did not notice. Beigong Juechen nodded, allowing the youth to wrap him tightly in his arms.

Beigong Qiyi’s embrace was so strong, as if he meant to crush the man entirely. Beigong Juechen’s long eyebrows slanted as he forcefully pushed the youth away, but Beigong Qiyi was undeterred. He held the man’s hand tightly and leaned in to gently kiss his rosy lips.

This was the first kiss between them untouched by violence or blood—a gentle, soft kiss, burning itself into their memories like a flash of lightning.

Beigong Juechen slowly closed his eyes, reaching up to cradle the youth’s head, turning the gentle kiss into a storm. Beigong Qiyi was momentarily stunned, then quickly responded, unwilling to yield. Their lips and tongues entwined tightly, Beigong Qiyi held the man’s waist close, and a single phrase echoed in his mind.

Bound by lips and teeth.

Outside the door, Xi Mo silently closed it, expression blank. He took a deep breath and walked away.

Just as he left "Li Manor," he encountered someone. Xi Mo’s eyes flickered as he walked over with a smile. "I know you." The woman in black glanced at him coldly, asking, "How is Beigong Juechen now?" Xi Mo pursed his lips, "The master is in his own domain—how else would he be?"

Qiang Yanxi crossed her arms, lowering her voice. "I won’t waste words. How is he, really?" Xi Mo watched her, smiling. "If you’ve come, you must know things aren’t good for him—so why ask me?" He raised an eyebrow, laughing softly, "Don’t tell me you’re unaware of the young master’s feelings for Beigong Juechen? Now that the master has lost all his skills and fallen into the young master's hands, he’s like a fish on the chopping block. And since he’s so delectable, the young master surely won’t even spit out the bones."

A dart grazed Xi Mo’s ear and buried itself in the stone lion behind him. A strand of hair drifted to the ground. Xi Mo glanced down at it, his expression indifferent, then slowly smiled. "Why worry? Beigong Juechen is like the red crown atop a crane—brilliant, but deadly. His patience now is like the young crane’s. When the time comes, he will become lethal, beyond saving."

And the saddest thing is, the young master knows this all too well—yet still finds it sweet.

Author’s note: Chrysanthemum cake... such a vivid image...