Chapter Text
Qingheng-jun primly laid down a pot of chamomile tea and two empty porcelain cups on the small table in his receiving room. His younger brother, clean-shaven younger brother, sat on a cushion before the table, looking more stressed out and tired than he'd ever seen him before. Though if it weren't for Lan Qiren's impromptu visit to his humble abode he wouldn't have a chance to talk with him anyway.
Again, guilt pinched his heart. But, as he would always do, he ignored it.
As happy as he was that Lan Qiren was here to visit him after a long time, he couldn't help but be confused on the reason behind the visit. And without a notice beforehand. It wasn't like his brother to ignore proprietary.
"Is something the matter?" Qingheng-jun asked, quietly, pouring the aromatic beverage in the teacup and handing it to Lan Qiren, who took it with a bow of thanks.
Lan Qiren sighed. The creased between his brows deepened. There were dark circles under his eyes and his cheeks were a little hollowed. Wasn't he taking care of himself?
"Big Brother, can I ask you for a favor?" Lan Qiren asked after a moment of strained silence.
Qingheng-jun's eyebrows rose at the unexpected question. "Of course you can. As long as it is within my capabilities. So what can I do for you?"
Lan Qiren's eyebrows twitched. He opened his mouth and closed it. He really looked different without his facial hair, Qingheng-jun thought, distracted. He looked younger and handsomer. He wondered who could have possibly convinced his uptight brother to shave them off considering how much pride he had of them.
Lan Qiren took a shuddering breath. He closed his eyes as if what he wanted to ask of him was taking all of his energy. "Big Brother, can I stay with you for the next six months?"
Qingheng-jun blinked. "Sure. You can stay here in my house with me as long as you want. Is that's all?"
Lan Qiren sighed, looking relieved. "Thank you, Big Brother. I promise you that I won't be a nuisance to you and bother you as long as I'm staying here." And thank you for not asking questions were left unsaid but not unheard.
Qingheng-jun smiled fondly. "You're not a bother. Honestly, I'm happy that you finally decides to visit me. I miss you, you know, my didi."
Lan Qiren's hand, the one holding the teacup, shook. He was about to say something when suddenly a messenger bird appeared on the windowsill of Qingheng-jun's receiving room. Qingheng-jun stood up and approached the bird with a puzzled expression on his usually phlegmatic mien.
Behind him, Lan Qiren froze, horrified. His body began to shake and his countenance paled.
Qingheng-jun took the letter from the messenger bird's beak, unrolled it and began to read. "Oh, it's a letter proposing marriage..."
Lan Qiren's face became blank. His body still shaking, he carefully lowered his cup down the table, stood up, walked to the window behind him and flung himself outside.
"...for A-Huan," Qingheng-jun finished, quietly.