Chapter 60- I Love You, My Wife

A.N: Another Update!

So, Um.. I'm troubled if I'm conveying the emotions right in these chapters because it's a serious point. Please let me know!

I'll wait for your comments(⁠〒⁠﹏⁠〒⁠)

***

“That's some unique way to welcome your mother. I'm surprised.”

Empress Dowager Shiyu exclaimed with a smile. She appeared young compared to her age, really different from Empress Jin. Her demeanour had power and elegance at the same time, a pure example of sophisticated royalty. Wang Xiyi stood behind her with a guilty expression and his palms pressed together as he mouthed,

‘Sorry, I couldn't stop her’

"Mother?"

Wang Yiheng was dumbfounded for a moment about what was happening suddenly until Bai Yuan arrived and broke his daze. He looked between his stepmother and Bai Yuan before looking down at his exposed chest. His face instantly became red and he turned around to fix his robes,

“Please, give me a moment.”

Bai Yuan stepped inside and saw the petals on the floor and slowly his eyes drifted to the unknown figure standing inside the room,

“Am…I…disturbing something?”

Wang Xiyi stepped forward to cover his eyes, “Nothing happening.”

“Then, why are you covering my eyes?”

Wang Xiyi quickly retracted his hands, “ I'm sorry. My mother came back. Yay~”

“Your mother? Wait that's Empress Dowager?” Bai Yuan tiptoed to see over Wang Xiyi’s shoulder.

What do I do

Wang Xiyi thought in his mind,d and before he could say anything,g Empress Dowager cleared her throat, “Bai Yuan?”

Bai Yuan pushed Xiyi aside and bowed politely, “I deeply apologize for the late greetings, Empress Dowager.”

EmpressDowagerr smiled softly, “Come closer, Dear. It's been so long since I last saw you. How have you been?”

Bai Yuan raised his head to read her face, She doesn't seem malicious.

Then he stepped towards her.

“I-I have been well.”

Wang Yiheng was done fixing his clothes, he turned back and stood across Bai Yuan, “Mother. Why didn't you let us know beforehand? We would've prepared for your homecoming.”

EmpressDowagerr smiled and took Yiheng’s hand in her, “I wanted to surprise you,u, but it seems like you got me surprised instead.”

Wang Yiheng spoke shyly and stole some glances at Bai Yuan, “That…that…was-”

Wang Xiyi interrupted and jumped in, “I can swear on the fact that you probably scooped me from somewhere else, Ma. You only love brother. Hey, I'm your son!”

EmpressDowagerr smacked his arm, “You're just a troublemaker, as ever.”

“Ouch, I'm hurt,” Wang Xiyi Feigned a whine.

Bai Yuan smiled seeing them. Suddenly Empress Dowager asked Bai Yuan, “Yuan, where is my little grandson?”

Bai Yuan sighed and pointed at Wang Yiheng, “He sent my baby to study with Scholar Mo. I want justice.”

“What? He's only three…how could you, Yiheng?” EmpressDowagerr pinched Yiheng’s arm tightly. Yiheng feigned pain, “Aahh, Mother, I had reasons, reasons! Let's go to your place first. You must be tired after the long journey.”

They were giggling together and changing sweet gestures as they started walking towards Empress Dowager’s Palace. Bai Yuan thought it would be better to give them privacy so he started going back to his courtyard.

However, a firm grip on his wrist pulled him back, “Where are you going?”

Bai Yuan looked up to meet Wang Yiheng’s deep gaze, “My room? Why?”

“That's my question, why? Come with me.”

Bai Yuan shook his head, “You should spend some quality time with her. She was away for so long.”

“But, I want you to stay with us.”

Bai Yuan could feel thingg* in his heartstrings, “Ah…I have something to do.” Saying so; he just sprinted away into the unknown.

Wang Yiheng, “...”

Wang Yiheng explained truthfully what was happening and also discussed his plan to find out who was behind all the rumours and ill-treatments against Bai Yua, with Empress Dowager.

***

Later at night

Bai Yuan was in the Imperial Bedroom after wishing Yeye goodnight. He was sorting out his sketches from earlier, oblivious that Yiheng was silently watching him, leaning beside the doorframe. He approached him slowly,

“What are you doing so dedicatedly?”

Yuan was out of breath for a moment hearing his voice so suddenly. He quickly pressed a big book on his sketches and replied intermittently, “Me?...no…nothing.”

Yiheng chuckled, noticing Yuan's sudden jump in surprise. He raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the way Yuan seemed to hide something. He strolled closer, the room growing more intimate.

"You're not very good at lying," he said, his voice smooth and knowing. "I saw you hastily cover something.”

“It's really nothing.”

“It’s okay, I won't push you to tell me if you don't want to. However, I need to tell you something,” Yiheng approached Yuan as he gently slipped his arms around Yuan’s waist, “It's important.”

Yuan's breath hitched feeling Yiheng's chest right behind his back, “What..?”

Yiheng inched his face against Yuan's temple, leaning in a close embrace, “It's you…”

Yuan felt his heart swell, “What about me?”

Yiheng continued as he tightened his arms around Yuan, “I was doing fine, you know…I thought I would be fine… it was supposed to be a simple marital relation with you….a political relation my mother and your father chose for us…”

Yuan was perplexed, “Yeah…So?”

Yiheng continued, “Right? Then why…why do I feel my heart quicken the moment I hear your name…why do I feel empty the moment you got taken away from my sight…why do I feel bloodlust seeing you in someone else's arms…Why do you keep pulling me towards you…Yuan.”

Yuan gasped, “Y-Your majesty.”

Yiheng shushed, “Let me finish, please.. It took me so long to realise this…that…I love you…It's not some attraction or fleeting desire…I feel alive when I'm with you…I-I feel free…The feeling is so soothing and indescribable…It's you…only you.”

Yiheng turned Yuan and touched his chin, gently tracing the jawline, “Yuan. I love you. I love you so much that I can do anything as long as you're with me.”

Yuan stared at Yiheng with eyes slowly filling with tears…These dazzling golden eyes, so soft and so sincere…Are you looking at me or trying to look at your 'Wife'...Yiheng

“I-..” Yuan's heart thumped, No…he doesn't know…

Yiheng noticed the facial change, he cupped Yuan’s face and leaned his forehead on Yuan’s, “I finally said it…what's wrong? You don't look happy?”

Bai Yuan forced a painful smile and touched his hands,

“Nah-uh…I'm happy. Really.”

Tears rolled down his eyes,

It's not me…he loves the man he married, right? Not an imposter like…me…it's not me…

Yiheng hugged him tightly as he kissed his tears away, “Tears don't suit you. My wife. I'm so happy I married you and no one else. I'm so lucky. I thank the heavens for giving you to me and no one else. I'm so happy…so happy”

Yuan clutched on Yiheng's robes, burying his face inside Yiheng's neck. He had nothing to say. He didn't know how to confess. He wasn't the original Bai Yuan. He was just an outsider who mistakenly woke up in this body.

Yuan's insecurities started biting under his skin as he held Yiheng tighter.

Will he still love me if I confess? Right? Ugh…

I was supposed to not develop feelings for him…it's my fault, right?

He cried silently for being so selfish.