Chapter 12 - Bipolar behaviour

 While the test results are not available, Zhang Yi puts on the table some of the books he brought. He wants to review some of the literature and previous knowledge from other diseases that he had already worked out years ago. Meanwhile, Yu Lexuan and Ding Qi play:

-What are you talking about, Yu Lexuan? I finished that challenge waaaaay before you, and now you see why!

-Just because you are an emperor, as you say, does not mean you have beaten me!

Due to the disturbance, Zhang Yi can't focus on the books, so he asks Ding Qi for a quieter place:

-Please, majesty, excuse me. Do you have another room where I can read my books

Ding Qi stops playing and apologizes almost immediately:

-Ah, yeah... I'm sorry. If you want, this guesthouse has a space in the basement that you can use. It is not so lit there, I suggest you pick a lantern. Or you can go upstairs, and use any of the spaces on the floor above.

-I'll choose the upper floor, as I need good lighting, air circulation, and relatively open space. I don't like basements.- He smiles.

-Feel free to choose, and I apologize if I bothered you.

Zhang Yi bows:

-I apologize if I was rude.

-You can rise. No problem, you may go and use the space as needed. You are my guests.

Zhang Yi rises and goes upstairs. Ding Qi slaps Yu LeXuan in the back of his neck:

-You said that I would never have a thing, now I am an emperor, and you are merely a Prince! - He laughs.

-But that's exactly what you are, you muppet! You still have to respond to the emperor of Anhui for everything!

-Who cares, I'm still better than you!

-No, you are not!

Yu Lexuan and Ding Qi pretend to be fighting:

-Are you seeing how much I progressed on it, Ding Qi? - You Lexuan smiles.

-Sure you are better now, but will never be as good as me.

Ding Qi pushes Yu Lexuan to the ground, staring at him from the top:

-You lost again!

-Are you sure?

-Of course, I am.

Yu Lexuan moves rapidly, this time putting Ding Qi on the ground. He stares at him, sweetly:

-You are underestimating my skills, Ding Qi.

-Your skills? Who cares about something that does not exist!

-Who? You care about it! 

-How???!!!

Yu Lexuan kisses Ding Qi briefly on his cheek. He blushes:

-You are a dead man now, Lexuan!

-If only you could hold me!

Yu Lexuan gets up quickly, and Ding Qi goes after him. After a fast move, Ding Qi pushes him against the wall:

-You can't move, are you happy?

-Think twice.

Yu Lexuan hugs Ding Qi, and stares deep into his eyes:

-You are now trapped. What would you do? - Yu Lexuan looks at him, sweetly. 

Ding Qi smiles:

-I lost. 

He suddenly kisses Yu Lexuan. The kiss was so deep that he has no reaction other than doing the same thing back.

Ding Qi hugs him more and pushes his body against Yu Lexuan. They then separate their lips, looking at each other:

-You said that you lost... You lied. - Yu Lexuan says, sweetly. 

-The only thing I lost was my fear of never being able to kiss you again... 

Ding Qi rubs his hip on Yu Le Xuan's. He smiles:

-You are not ready for my heavenly sky pillar, Ding Qi. It's difficult, only my majesty passed the trial. 

-I don't fear your heavenly sky pillar. I will make it fall apart! - Ding Qi laughs. 

At this moment, someone knocked on the door, breaking the love talk between them:

-Well... There may be another chance to grab the heavenly sky pillar - Yu Lexuan laughs.

-I hope so... 

Ding Qi smiles and opens the door. Wang is waiting, he bows to Ding Qi:

-My majesty, I have something to say.

-You may rise. What's the deal? 

-Another gatekeeper died... Our physician can't say why, he tried everything but couldn't find what has killed this gatekeeper. And he's the third one to leave this world... 

-Again?

-Yes... The third one...

Ding Qi changes his mood suddenly, turns around, and goes towards Wang:

-How did it happen and no one reports to me? I need to get as much information as possible!

Wang stands on his knees:

-But... but majesty said our wellbeing was not an issue... No one would dare to report it.

-You! - Ding Qi gets mad.

-Have mercy, majesty! 

Ding Qi takes a sword. Seeing what he intended to do, Yu Lexuan grabs his hand:

-Hey, calm down, Ding Qi! This is a new disease and we are learning about it. Don't kill him for nothing.

-He offended me in front of you! This cannot be tolerated. 

-Stop doing that, I don't care, you muppet!- Yu Lexuan pulls him back. 

Wang freezes:

-You... you dared to offend majesty!

Ding Qi stares at Wang. He let his sword fall off his hand, turns around, and hugs Yu Lexuan suddenly. His eyes water:

-Wang, please get out. 

-I feel blessed! 

-GET OUT NOW! - Ding Qi screams. 

Wang gets out of the room as fast as he can. Yu Lexuan comforts Ding Qi:

-You need to calm down... Even though you are the emperor, you cannot micromanage everything in your empire...-Yu Lexuan gently strokes his hair. 

-I should do it, no one cares about me!  

-Maybe... This is a matter of trust, I think they will consider you more if you also show them that they are important. 

-I won't be able to do it... I don't know how to do it! 

Yu Lexuan conduces Ding Qi to the bed, and they sit side-by-side. Yu Lexuan gently makes Ding Qi lay down his head over his legs. He also gently caresses it:

-Our majesty, Feng Long, has gone through a similar issue. How he dealt with it? He simply paid more! Money is everything if you have so little. He also never tried to kill anyone due to an insult, so I think if you can control your emotions, that's a good start. - Yu Lexuan smiles. 

Yu Lexuan clears Ding Qi's tears:

-It seems easy but is not... My people only obey me because I'm bold with them... 

-Yes, they will obey you through fear. But they will not trust you or have any loyalty. You seem like a powerful and merciless man, but you got it over a foundation of sand. As you learn from other people the beauty of governance, you will gradually replace this flimsy foundation with a rock-solid one. 

As Ding Qi gets calmer, he rises, looking at Yu Lexuan:

-After seeing Wang begging for mercy, I can understand what you said... Maybe I am too harsh... Maybe I am too selfish... I want to change, I know it's gonna be hard, but I have to... I should say that this time, you blessed me, Yu Lexuan. 

Ding Qi hugs Yu Lexuan tightly. He reciprocated the hug:

-Just do it, my friend... It is a good thing to say that we can improve, and also that we are willing to get it done. 

...

◄Previous chapter                  Next Chapter►