The quickly cooling evening spring air did nothing to stave off the warmth that Xueye felt walking with Jinse and Yushi. He was quickly starting to regret agreeing to having them both come along at the same time. Even so he couldn't help but feel complete when he was with them both. If only he could get his heart to stop racing so fast.
"Are you alright, darling?" Jinse draped himself over Xueye's shoulders. "You seem a little dazed."
"I'm fine!" Xueye said quickly, that heat was rapidly creeping in. He was starting to regret the extra layers he tended to wear. He couldn't help but start fiddling with his clothes a bit out of nerves and hope for relief he knew wouldn't come.
Jinse's sensitive ears didn't miss the near imperceptible growl from Yushi at his close proximity. Jinse was so delighted to have someone so easy to mess with that really only hinged on his favorite pastime of teasing Xueye. Two birds with one stone.
"You aren't still worried about tomorrow are you?" Jinse asked with a sugary sweetness to his voice.
"Tomorrow?" Yushi's brow furrowed, a little frustration but also the lingering worry of why Shizhe was desperate to have Yushi see Xueye. Then it occurred to him, the Brightness Festival was tomorrow. His expression softened.
"Ah, yeah my siblings might not be joining, well Xinhua said perhaps later but Qingkong is not doing well enough to visit mother," Xueye explained, unable to look at the soft, worried expression, he returned to focussing on fiddling with his sleeves.
Is her sense of duty so strong that she really was not planning on taking the day? Yushi thought with a pensive expression on his face. He would be sure to have more of a word with her later.
"I offered to keep him company tomorrow," Jinse flashed a smug smirk over at Yushi.
"Really now? Don't you have your own ancestors to honor?" Yushi scoffed.
"No graves to sweep," Jinse shrugged. "The Meigui Family is much more worthy of my time. Lady Xiulan was so kind to me, I like to visit every once in a while too." Jinse also wished to pay respects to Xinyi, one of the earliest of the family put to rest in this city and his first contact with the family.
"Mother was quite fond of you," Xueye giggled.
"Well, it's good you won't be alone," Yushi sighed a little defeated. He didn't want to impose but he wished to be there too, just to support him.
"Do you have plans for tomorrow?" Xueye felt a pang of sadness filling him upon seeing the dejected expression. "If you don't mind me asking."
"In all honesty, time has gotten away from me," Yushi sighed. "I hadn't even realized the festival was tomorrow until you mentioned it."
"Been that busy, huh?" Jinse smiled knowingly. "Is the business of information that consuming?"
"I have duties other than that of the flow of information," Yushi glowered at Jinse.
"Like what?" Jinse poked, really trying to push the guise of Shujing, especially in front of Xueye.
"You work in the palace, right?" Xueye chimed in with an air of curiosity. He hadn't pried before but now seemed like as good a time as any.
"I do," Yushi nodded. "I assist the upper court much in the way your sister does. Having her aid as of late has been incredibly helpful."
"Really? I can't say I've heard Shujing as much as I've heard her name since her appointment," Jinse pried.
"Not everyone in the court is known to the public," Yushi stated. "If everyone knew I worked for the court then they would be much less forthcoming with information."
"Like a spy?" Jinse snickered.
"Jinse!" Xueye scolded.
"I'm only teasing," Jinse held his hands up. "Forgive me for being curious about the company my sweet Xueye keeps! Not many are so kind as me."
"Could have fooled me," Yushi scoffed.
"There's nicer ways to go about it," Xueye sighed. "Don't hold it against him, Shujing. He's like that with everyone at first."
"I can understand the sentiment," Yushi shook his head and smiled. "It's nice to know someone wishes for your safety as much as I do."
"I refuse to let just anyone near my darling Xueye," Jinse sneered.
"Hey," Xueye reached up and pinched him. "Play nice. Shujing has proved just as much as you have that he means what he's said."
"Okay, okay," Jinse rubbed the spot as though the pinch bothered him even though it wasn't much at all. "I'll try and be nice."
"Thank you," Xueye giggled. "Anyways, Shujing, if you would also like company tomorrow you could join us. You don't have any more family, right?"
"Correct," Yushi let a sad smile slip. "My father was the last remaining family I had. He was put to rest elsewhere well over a decade ago. I don't have the time to travel all the way there on such short notice. I can always stop by a temple and find the time to join you tomorrow." Yushi's smile warmed as he looked at Xueye who seemed to bubble with barely contained joy. Seeing Jinse's slight pout Yushi couldn't help but feel an air of amusement.
"I appreciate it," Xueye beamed softly. "I appreciate you both being so willing to spend time with me tomorrow. Visiting her grave can still be a little…" Xueye paused and his face fell a little as he tried to find the right word, "raw sometimes…"
"Xueye, if your siblings ever can't join you just ask," Jinse softened up. He knew how sensitive the matter of her death was for Xueye especially. "I don't mind accompanying you."
"Thank you," Xueye shook his head to clear the darkness that lingered in the corner of his mind. His brighter smile and faint flush returned as he focused on the delight of being with them.
They entered a place of Jinse's choosing. He had been casually leading them towards. The hostess promptly flushed upon seeing him.
"M-Master Jinse! Lovely to see you again!" She stumbled over her words.
"It's been sometime Xia," Jinse flashed a roguish smile as he leaned on the counter. "Is there a private little corner for myself and my two companions?"
"Of course! Just a moment!" She quickly got the attention of another and sent her off to ensure such a space was prepared. She returned to chatting with Jinse, twirling her hair and giggling all the time.
Xueye couldn't help but feel a little unease as he watched the overly friendly exchange. While he was used to it, after having spent as much time as he had with Jinse over recent weeks without experiencing moments like this, it was like a strange wake up call.
"Xueye?" Yushi ran his hand across Xueye's back. A gentle and comforting touch that Xueye leaned into. Those soft lavender eyes looked up at Yushi and he could see the hint of hurt there. Yushi leaned in and whispered, "Would you rather go elsewhere?"
"No, it's fine," Xueye shook his head. "I want to spend time with you two…"
"We can go anywhere," Yushi gently squeezed his shoulder. "Just say the word."
"Here is fine…" Xueye sighed softly, subconsciously leaning into Yushi a little more as he closed his eyes.
Yushi looked at Jinse who was looking at them with the briefest flitter of regret on his face until Jinse realized he'd been caught. Yushi scowled at Jinse before Jinse looked away.
Jinse had been trying his damndest to devote himself to Xueye as of late. It was just so easy for him to fall into old habits. He was so used to laying on the charm to get anything and everything he wanted with it. People were always more agreeable when he laid on the charm because of the pretty face he chose.
Jinse's expression darkened, now growing annoyed with Xia's rambling, "How much longer? I'd rather not keep my dear companions waiting, it's been a long day."
"I'll go check!" She said quickly. A chill running down her spine at such a cold shift in demeanor. She dashed off for a moment.
"Sorry, it's been some time since I've seen her. She used to work at the Fox's Den," Jinse smiled as he returned his attention to Xueye and Yushi.
"Oh," Xueye glanced away, despising himself for immediately assuming that she was one of Jinse's lovers. "It's alright."
Yushi didn't seem so easily convinced having seen Jinse's brief reaction before. He knows how to read interactions rather well after all the years as emperor and just by the tone Xia had while chatting with Jinse he could tell it was far more than a professional relationship they had shared. Yushi just sighed and shook his head.
"Right this way," Xia came back and ushered them to a slightly more private area on the second floor. It wasn't entirely cut off from the hustle and bustle of the restaurant in the busy dinner hours but it was spaced out and screened off from nearby tables enough to have a more private air to it.
As Xueye sat down he didn't notice right away that the other two had casually pulled their chair closer to Xueye so they mostly all favored one side of the table. Once he did realize, Xueye found it hard not to hide his face a little in an attempt to obscure the richening pink across his cheeks.
"Tea or something stronger?" Xia asked sweetly.
"Wine sounds lovely…" Xueye voiced softly, letting out a breath. At least with some alcohol in him he wouldn't feel the need to hide the heat in his cheeks.
"Both," Jinse said decisively. "My darling Xueye and I favor our wine a bit sweet. What about you, Shujing?"
"I like to indulge in a little sweetness every so often," Yushi said with a gentle smile as he briefly glanced at Xueye who quickly buried his nose in the menu.
"I know just the thing, I'll be right back," Xia slipped off.
"There was something I was wondering," Jinse placed his chin in his hand as he looked at Yushi with a familiar scrutinizing gaze. "You were the one who brought the information of the herb shipment from the east, right?"
"Yes," Yushi nodded. "I heard of it in the palace and thought it would be a lovely opportunity for the Meigui Trading Company."
"Xueye and I were talking earlier and I couldn't help but wonder who managed to find them. After all, the Eastern Wildlands are quite dangerous, it's hard to believe so much was able to be extracted." Jinse's fingers traced the edge of the closed menu.
"Indeed, it is," Yushi nodded. "It was a joint effort between the imperial guard and one of the Jawhar tribes near the border. They have a couple warriors that can even give the emperor a run for his money in a sparring session." Yushi chuckled softly thinking about Menes, who sheltered them at the border back when Yushi and his comrades were still gathering strength.
Menes later ensured their countries worked together to make the settlements around the wildlands as safe as possible. While there was usually a line on the map, anyone in the area near the border couldn't really tell where it truly transitioned from Meihua to Jawhar.
"Did they take some then?" Xueye asked.
"Surprisingly no, it was offered to divide it but they didn't have much interest oddly enough," Yushi shrugged. Yushi figured Menes also thought that they would grow better in Meihua rather than the arid deserts of Jawhar and as their trade flows freely it would be more beneficial for them both. He was delighted it paved a nice opportunity for Xueye, though Lord Meigui's words did have him a little worried. "Speaking of, your father and I exchanged words on the way in."
"Sorry about that," Xueye flashed an apologetic smile.
"It was inevitable," Yushi shrugged. "I'm just worried. He said he knows what it is you do within the company."
"I suspected he might know," Xueye sighed. "I really should schedule a meeting with Lady Mingmai."
"Do you need assistance with that?" Yushi asked with a sweet smile.
"No, when I was having breakfast in Shizhe's garden last, they insisted it was a good idea. Yuliang herself arranged it apparently." Xueye giggled. "I received word before the day was out that Lady Mingmai was interested in meeting."
"My, my, making quite the connections with the upper court," Jinse beamed. "First name basis and everything."
"They insisted," Xueye giggled. He started fiddling with his sleeve a bit more. "I was a little uncertain at first about using such connections. I like spending time with them and I just don't want it to seem like I'm using them the way my father would…"
"You aren't him," Jinse stated quickly. "Don't even think like that."
"He's right. I've known them for a long time," Yushi smiled softly. "They wouldn't offer such help to just anyone. Least of all Yuliang. Unless she genuinely cares for someone she'll usually let them do all the work, very rarely does she even offer advice. The fact that she reached out on your behalf means she already thinks highly of you."
"We've only interacted a handful of times," Xueye sighed. "I'm not sure I get what she sees in me. I thought that about Shizhe as well but at least it's understandable with her."
"There's very few people Yuliang trusts more than Shizhe," Yushi smiled. "That's likely a big factor."
"I'm sure your sister also had a factor in it," Jinse stated with a smirk. "I'm guessing Shujing here especially had a hand in it."
"I have nothing but praise for you," Yushi smiled fondly at Xueye.
"Such a flatterer this one," Jinse rolled his eyes.
"Like you're one to talk," Xueye teased.
"You deserve every bit of praise," Jinse smirked, turning it back on him.
"You two…" Xueye mumbled with a soft sigh of defeat. He desperately needed that drink if he was going to tolerate such attention. He slouched down, blocking his view of either of them with the menu.
Jinse shifted his gaze to meet Yushi's, who was scowling. Jinse's smirk widened as an air of smugness filled him as he sat back. He delighted in annoying Yushi almost as much as he enjoyed teasing Xueye and they were very much mutually exclusive. Jinse was starting to realize this dinner was going to be much more enjoyable than he anticipated.
Before Jinse could stir more trouble, Xia returned with wine and tea. Xueye let out a breath of relief, returning to sitting upright and proper while in the company of a stranger. Once he was served the wine he didn't delay in taking a drink. It was a peach sake with a more floral hint to it. It was sweet and almost refreshing, perfect for drinking a little too much before realizing it. Xueye wasn't going into work in the morning anyways.
"Ah, we need more of this!" Xueye said with a contented sigh.
"You heard him," Jinse glanced up at Xia, "Keep it coming."
"Will do!" Xia smiled sweetly. "What else can I get you this evening?"
After a little debate as Xueye didn't actually process what he was reading whilst having hidden behind the menu, Xueye deferred to Jinse's recommendations while ordering. Yushi had also been there before in his various meetings over the years and already knew what he would like from just a cursory glance. Xia slipped away again swiftly after that.
Xueye let out a breath, slumping in his chair again. He quietly sipped his wine a little at odds still about how overly friendly Jinse and Xia were. He'd been so used to Jinse flirting with others since they had known each other. In recent weeks Jinse hadn't been that way around anyone but him. Xueye was just getting used to it being directed only at him. Granted a majority of their time was spent in a business setting and so those they were around Jinse was just polite and formal. It was nice to see that side of him more. Jinse would usually only tease Xueye during breaks or after work, very rarely when they were working together. The weeks that passed like this made him forget briefly what Jinse was like around other people outside a formal setting. He was feeling a little ridiculous to think anything had changed when they both discussed they wanted nothing to change.
There was a gentle nudge against Xueye's boot that snapped him out of his thoughts. Xueye glanced over at Yushi who had a gentle yet worried smile.
"Are you sure you are alright?" Yushi asked. "You seem a little out of it tonight."
"It's just been a long day," Xueye shook his head and smiled a little half heartedly. "I was trying to get a lot done so I could have the extra day off tomorrow."
"I kept trying to get him to take a break but he was quite stubborn today," Jinse shrugged. "I thought your arrival would be ideal to keep him from working late."
"Fortunate timing I suppose," Yushi chuckled. Yushi could tell it was an excuse given the faint nervous energy Xueye was still emitting. Yushi wondered if Xueye would even share what was really bothering him. He hoped a little that Xueye would open up a little with the wine or even just the two of them.
"I can handle one of you nagging me, with both of you I wasn't going to last long," Xueye giggled. Xueye let out a sigh, "I guess I didn't realize how tired I was getting until we got here…"
"Let loose a little then," Jinse beamed. "You can sleep in if you like tomorrow. I know you originally wanted to go earlier but if you go later it's more likely you get to see your sister, right?"
"Might be for the best with how much of the wine you are drinking," Yushi chuckled seeing Xueye take another sip.
"It's really good…" Xueye mumbled with an embarrassed smile. "You are probably right though…"
"The afternoon then?" Yushi suggested. He figured he would be able to convince Xinhua to join them by that time.
"I suppose that'll work," Xueye smiled sweetly.
"It's a date," Jinse chuckled, enjoying the expressions both of them made. Xueye looked truly dazed while Yushi was scowling at Jinse.
"Must you put it that way?" Yushi huffed in annoyance.
"Why? It's just a term of phrase," Jinse smirked. "I use it all the time."
"He sure does," Xueye grumbled, a faint air of disappointment washed over him as he nursed his cup of wine more. He was starting to feel foolish for all the times he'd found himself wanting. Lately he didn't even realize their actions or phrases had something he desired until the moment. He hated the deep longing it was carving into him but he was still too nervous to bring it up.
"Just seems a little insensitive to use for such an occasion," Yushi shook his head. It wasn't exactly what he wanted to say given how he picked up on Xueye's obvious discomfort. Yushi found it hard to believe Jinse didn't notice it, so it was starting to irritate Yushi that Jinse continued to do it anyway.
"You're right, my apologies," Jinse said half-heartedly. Propriety towards customs was never his strong suit, even so he really did want to honor those he'd protected or failed to. With that thought his next words were genuine, "Sorry, they deserve better…"
"Hey, it's okay," Xueye waved. "I appreciate the intent to keep things light. Having you two join will certainly help chase away the gloom of such an occasion."
"I know it's something I'm good at," Jinse smirked, glad that Xueye wouldn't hold it against him. "This one though, I'm not so sure."
"Funny, I was just thinking the same thing," Yushi scoffed, taking a sip of tea after.
"I'm not the one scowling the whole time," Jinse snickered.
"Is that not what you've been trying to get out of me this whole time?" Yushi shook his head. "Perhaps you shouldn't be so fixated on me when we are trying to support Xueye."
Jinse was a little taken aback that Yushi picked up on the fact he was being a nuisance on purpose. Granted he wasn't trying to hide it but he didn't expect to be called out for it. Jinse glanced at Xueye briefly, who seemed to be avoiding looking at him as he sipped more wine with a faintly gloomy look in his eyes.
"I get it," Xueye closed his eyes. "You two are new to each other." Xueye's voice softened to barely a whisper but the two's sensitive hearing still picked up the sweet words, "I just hope you can get along…"
"It's all in good fun, I assure you," Jinse shrugged. "If I didn't like him, I would have chased him off by now."
"I know," Xueye smiled softly. "I've seen how you are around those you don't like. Not everyone takes your teasing in kind."
"It's alright," Yushi smirked. "Normally I can take it as much as I can dish it. I'm just a little more irritable as of late."
"Then hopefully taking tomorrow to unwind will help," Xueye giggled. "Provided someone doesn't go provoking you," Xueye gave a pointed look at Jinse but his tone was teasing.
"Tomorrow I'll behave," Jinse sighed in defeat, the mischievous grin quickly returning. "Tomorrow."
"You don't learn do you?" Yushi sighed in disappointment.
"I'm learning quite a bit actually," Jinse rested his head in his hand with a coy smirk.
"Forget it," Yushi huffed. "Clearly you are too heedless to understand my implication."
Yushi glanced at Xueye, the flush on his cheeks becoming more permanent given the wine. He at least looked a little happier after their reassurances. Yushi still wanted to find the time to ask Xueye what really was bothering him even if Yushi had an idea.
It was then when Xia returned with another with their food. As she set down a plate near Jinse she whispered quietly, "A man in the red scarf by the entrance asked me to deliver a message, 'The wind carries whispers.'"
"Is that so?" Jinse glanced through the railing making eye contact with exactly who he expected to see. Wuye in the same disguise that he'd spoken to not long ago. Wuye smiled and waved at him. Jinse turned and whispered back, "Tell him that we will talk after I leave here."
Xueye may not have been able to pick up any of their hushed words but Yushi heard every bit of it. He glanced down to the lower floor as well to see the well dressed man with a red scarf. His eyes met Yushi's and Wuye's grin broadened. Yushi looked away, not wanting to draw attention he did it as though his gaze was just wandering.
Upon returning his attention to the other two at the table, Yushi noticed a subtle pout on Xueye's face as he started picking at his food but it vanished when he noticed Yushi's attention was on him replaced by the gentlest of smiles as though nothing was wrong. Yushi's smile softened, hoping in some way it would be a comfort.
Yushi stole a glance at Jinse and was shocked to see the cheerful demeanor he had around Xueye had fallen away to a grim shadow. Yushi was starting to wonder who the person at the door was to pull Jinse's attention away from the two of them.
"Jinse? Something wrong?" Xueye noticed as well upon following Yushi's gaze.
"Ah! It's just business really," Jinse snapped out of the momentary daze upon getting lost in thought. "I can take care of it after our time here together."
"Should you really be putting it off?" Yushi asked. "It must be urgent if someone left a message with our waitress."
"That is what I was wondering, myself, honestly," Jinse sighed.
"If it's important you don't have to stay," Xueye smiled warmly. "You've been at the company a lot lately when you have your own business to run."
"Hu Ning can take care of most things," Jinse shook his head.
"Is this really 'most things,' though?" Yushi shrugged.
"Trying to get rid of me?" Jinse leered at Yushi with a half hearted smirk.
"Is it working?" Yushi smirked teasingly, pretending it wasn't actually his aim.
"Starting to feel like I shouldn't now," Jinse sneered.
"Jinse!" Xueye voiced sharply to catch his attention. "Do what you need to. You two will have plenty of opportunities to pester each other tomorrow."
"Since you insist," Jinse sighed and pouted like a scolded child. He closed his eyes. He really was worried about what news Wuye might bring.
"It is quite important, Master Jinse," Wuye voiced from behind him, startling everyone at the table as he appeared seemingly out of nowhere. "Sorry. I was trying to be quite polite but it seemed my initial message wasn't compelling enough."
"Maque! Don't startle me like that again!" Jinse snapped in annoyance.
"I said sorry," Wuye smirked. He was quite content waiting considering it would only be Jinse to blame for delaying, but the moment he'd made eye contact with Yushi he was dreadfully curious. He really was just going to snoop unseen but seeing Xueye scold Jinse, he couldn't resist meeting him properly. "So you are the Young Master Meigui that Master Jinse is quite fond of. A pleasure to meet you." Wuye voiced with a charming smile. "I'm Maque! Just a humble servant of Jinse's."
"Ignore him!" Jinse stood up and grabbed Wuye by the collar to keep him from spouting more nonsense. "He's just a troublemaker who happens to be helping me. Shujing, ensure he gets home safely!" Jinse cast Yushi a look as he started dragging Wuye away.
"I was already planning on it," Yushi chuckled as he watched them walk away.