Chapter 52 - Zhang Xiaofan almost defeated

A couple of hours later, Ding Qi receives the letter wrote by Feng Long. He had released his pigeon hours before so to get his letter to the emperor of Jiangxi, Meng Zhang. As usual, he calls for Zhang Xiaofan, as he was not sure if Zhang Yi wouldn't send an additional letter just for him. They reunite in Ding Qi's room, and he reads:

-"Dear Majesty. I got to know you are under financial strain due to the high number of infected travelers arriving at your empire and you are rightfully trying to keep them there until they either get better or die. Zhejiang will officially open its borders for all travelers, and we will adopt our own protocols to alleviate the financial hurdles his majesty is passing by. We genuinely thank you for your personal dedication to keeping our empire protected, but we should also do our part in this fight. Sincerely, Feng Long, now your close friend, and Emperor of Zhejiang."

-Majesty, this is actually good for us! We will reduce our financial strain and our caseload will drop 95% if we allow the travelers to simply pass. - Zhang Xiaofan smiles.
-Zhang Xiaofan... Feng Long is willing to sacrifice himself and his empire so we can keep our balance positive... even though this letter was not written totally by him... I have no words for it. - Ding Qi's eyes water slightly.

Zhang Xiaofan gets closer to him, and simulates a hug:

-Majesty... Feng Long is such a great person. He understood we're facing problems.

Ding Qi smiles, and hugs Zhang Xiaofan suddenly, but keeps silent. Zhang Xiaofan is got by surprise and does nothing. He feels his upper shoulder wet from the tears of Ding Qi, even though he's silent. Ding Qi then undoes the hug, looking at Zhang Xiaofan. His face is completely wet from the tears:

-Zhang Xiaofan... Let's have some tea... That one Yu Lexuan loved...
- I'll bring it in a minute, your majesty...

Zhang Xiaofan smiles and looks for the infusions:

-What happened to Ding Qi? He's so emotional over a letter... I have never seen that! - Zhang Xiaofan thinks. 

He quickly brings hot water and the infusions, serving a cup for Ding Qi. They sit in front of each other:

-Majesty... You are too emotive now... May I... May I ask why, please I beg your mercy if I'm being rude... -Zhang Xiaofan puts his cup of tea aside and bows slightly.
-You can rise, please, you are not being rude... I'm not sad, I'm happy... this letter was written by Yu Lexuan, and it brings me such good energy... - Ding Qi smiles, closing his eyes.
-His majesty is... his majesty is in... love? 
-I have always been in love... This is my business, but I feel alleviated to have someone like you to express myself. I trust you... I like you... But Yu Lexuan is always on my heart.
-This is... such heavenly energy... I wish you united.
-This is not possible, and will never be possible... Yu Lexuan loves Feng Long, and Feng Long also probably loves him more than anyone else... I cannot dispute with Feng Long, I can only respect his choice and maybe have some fun. Eventually, I'll find someone I can love...
-I wish it does not take that long, Majesty...
-Maybe this person is closer to me than I think... 

Ding Qi slowly approaches Zhang Xiaofan. He moves back a little:

-Majesty...

Ding Qi looks deeply at Zhang Xiaofan's eyes. He tries to look afar, but Ding Qi moves closer and closer, eventually touching his nose on Zhang Xiaofan's:

-Majesty... The tea will get cold...
-I do not care. Cold tea is also good.
-Majes...

Ding Qi kisses Zhang Xiaofan, silencing him. Zhang Xiaofan is scared, but he faces a problem: if he reciprocates the kiss or tries to escape, it is impossible to know what Ding Qi would do. He is sure he would not be killed, but he also fears breaking Ding Qi's heart in the process, which would be a nasty move. He then raises his left hand, which is trembling, and slowly lands it on Ding Qi's nape, pressing it slightly and deepening the kiss. Ding Qi seems to like and keeps kissing him. He then slowly stops:

-Zhang Xiaofan... I'm sorry for being rude... I was just in need... - Ding Qi looks down.
-Majesty, you were not rude... I know I'm not Yu Lexuan but... if you majesty enjoyed it, I feel blessed for doing something useful... - Zhang Xiaofan blushes. 
-You gave me a good kiss... You are beautiful, do not think otherwise...

Ding Qi then hugs him again. Zhang Xiaofan reciprocates the hug, caressing Ding Qi:

-I feel good for your Majesty being so loving with me... I am having a difficult time dealing with this disease... I really want to serve our empire and do something useful to benefit our people...

-You have your duties, they are hard to deal with... That's why you deserve to be rewarded in some way...

Ding Qi smiles, tightening the hug. Zhang Xiaofan does the same. After some time, they undo the hug:

-The tea is cold already, Majesty... - Zhang Xiaofan notices.

-The tea was just to keep the atmosphere between us even better.

 Ding Qi rises, and quickly kisses Zhang Xiaofan:

-Let's change our way of dealing with the new arrivals, and let people going to Zhejiang pass directly.

-Yes, your Majesty, I'll take my leave and get it done.

Zhang Xiaofan bows to Ding Qi, turns, and moves away. Ding Qi looks at him for as long as he can:

-Ah Zhang Xiaofan... You are so young, yet I like you... Yet I can kiss you so deeply and think for a moment I'm kissing Yu Lexuan...

 ...

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