Chapter Text
Deep in Shěn Qīngqiū’s heart, there had been a hole, a tender spot, a need unmet. A need that he couldn’t allow himself to acknowledge, because it was so painful to expose. The need to serve, but to serve in a way that he had complete control. Unspoken occasions in Shěn Qīngqiū’s life in which he hoped that this person would be worthy of his service. Someone he could follow without worry that his service was appreciated, that he was worthwhile, and that he felt content in serving them. They wouldn’t have to say anything to him, because he would know. He had always wanted to feel down to his bones, that serving that person was a good thing, an excellent thing, the right thing to do.
The Qiū family. Initially he was happy that he was going to be fed, but uncertain about the future. Some masters are sensible and understand the need for due care, and some do not. The Qiū got what they deserved, and probably deserved more. He wished Qiū Hǎitáng well, wherever she was. He didn’t serve her, more like he tried to hide in a tiny sliver of her shadow, for all the good it did. Looking back, Shěn Qīngqiū realized that to Qiū Hǎitáng, he was less a slave and more a pet to dress up and show off.
Wú Yànzi. Shěn Qīngqiū knew that Wú Yànzi was a terrible cultivator and a hideous person, but who else would take in Shěn Qīngqiū? No one. Slaughtering the Qiū ripped through his meridians and left his spirit roots in tatters. Wú Yànzi took advantage of Shěn Qīngqiū’s disability, and exploited him for years. Shěn Qīngqiū played the helpless cicada being stalked by Wú Yànzi’s target, only for Wú Yànzi to kill that person and rob them of their valuables. Many of those people did not cause any regret, but some did, and those left a stain on Shěn Qīngqiū’s soul that he felt for centuries.Through every bottleneck and every qi deviation, Shěn Qīngqiū would look back and see their faces, over and over and over again.
Shěn Qīngqiū had hoped that Cāng Qióng would be better, but Yuè Qīngyuán had poisoned that well. Even though it was to save Yuè Qīngyuán, Yuè Qīngyuán didn’t stand up for him when Shěn Qīngqiū had been accused of the unnecessary loss of life. Fortunately the Peak Lord of Qīng Jìng had enough intelligence to discern the truth, and took Shěn Qīngqiū in. However, Yuè Qīngyuán’s waffling about the whole situation caused their peers to look at Shěn Qīngqiū with suspicion, uncertain that Shěn Qīngqiū had the qualifications to be a righteous cultivator. The match with Liǔ Qīnggē sealed his fate, with The Thug prating about “honorable combat” and “deceitful practices” and “snake-like guile”. Shěn Qīngqiū had won the battle, but not the war for the good opinion of his peers. As the Lord of Qīng Jìng Peak, they had to at the very least respect his ability, if not his person. It was a cold comfort, but the only one he had.
Centuries pass. Emperors, princes, they rule and they die, one after another. As a Peak Lord, Shěn Qīngqiū had to interact with them, but did not feel compelled to respect them. He respected their power in the mortal world, but as a cultivator they did not affect him and in turn he did not interfere in their affairs. Some had the potential for greatness, but then they would get caught in the mire of court politics, war, or an overestimation of their own worth.
Even so, Shěn Qīngqiū had dealings with various Imperial Courts, and couldn’t avoid them. Emperors held the power in the Mortal World, and if he wanted to keep his little home safe, he was forced to work with them. Balancing the petty concerns of the different factions was annoying and a waste of his intellect. Speaking with princes with less sense than a goat was tiresome, and he hadn’t needed sleep for two hundred years. Being required to attend banquets when he practiced inedia nauseated. Being surrounded by individuals slurping dishes made of rare animals hunted for a paw or a tongue was disgusting and wasteful. The street child that became Shěn Qīngqiū was even more upset, as he knew that none of the leftovers would get eaten, but thrown out.
Sickened by the unreasoning excess, and tired of the banality, Shěn Qīngqiū was finally allowed to leave. His pouches loaded with his gains, Shěn Qīngqiū hopped on his sword and flew off. Generally other cultivators attempted to pursue him, but he flew so high above the clouds that lesser beings could not tolerate. His pursuers kept trying, and kept failing.
Through a series of arrays and flights, Shěn Qīngqiū finally made it home to his Fairy Prince, the one good thing in his life that made everything else worthwhile. The one person that Shěn Qīngqiū knew was better than all others, his beloved prince A’Yuán. In the past, A’Yuán would correct Shěn Qīngqiū and say that A’Yuán was not a prince, that there were many princes in his world and his family were only merchants.
A’Yuán really believed this, but Shěn Qīngqiū knew better. If what A’Yuán said was true, his family was one of the twenty most wealthy families in his world. His family directly employed millions, more people than in all the large cities of Chang’An together. Through those employees, the Shěn family further affected their households. That was more than the imperial organizations of East Chang’An and West Chang’An together. That did not include the others who worked with A’Yuán’s organization. While the Shěn family might not have written any laws, the Shěn family held tremendous sway over those who did. All that power, all that wealth, and the Shěn brothers lived like monks. It was really beyond belief.
A’Yuán’s brother was probably the closest thing to an Emperor that A’Yuán’s world had. The oldest Shěn brother was even called the “Emperor of Real Estate,” which simply reaffirmed Shěn Qīngqiū’s beliefs. The second Shěn brother was an accomplished scholar who had achieved high honors in an extremely difficult discipline. He probably would have done very well in the Imperial Examinations.
Then finally, A’Yuán. Educated better than many or most, he had mastered several instruments, and could revive a powerful form of cultivation not seen for thousands of years. While he might not have the same level of education and experience as his two brothers, he easily had enough for this world. His insight and understanding of the needs of people could completely transform this world. A’Yuán asked his brother to raise wages, enough to support a household, and the Eldest brother did. When Shěn Qīngqiū asked why, A’Yuán said, “It’s simple. People are happier when they don’t have to worry about supporting their family. Happier people make happier workers.” A’Yuán said that his brother was so impressed with the return on investment, that he asked A’Yuán for other ideas. A’Yuán had others, but he didn’t know the result.
Those thoughts and those ideas are why A’Yuán should rule. A’Yuán simply did not understand how he was truly a Son of Heaven, more than anyone Shěn Qīngqiū has ever seen. A’Yuán worried about the state of the poor, and was deeply offended by the circumstances of those around him. These days, A’Yuán carried himself with a grace and demeanor only displayed by the very few, including cultivators. His poise and charisma enthralled everyone.
A’Yuán should rule. Not that idiot in the yellow robe with the five-clawed dragons, but A’Yuán. If A’Yuán took over, this world would be a better place. Shěn Qīngqiū knew that he alone could slay thousands in A’Yuán’s name, and once A’Yuán sat on the Dragon Throne, his royal presence would convince the rest.
Shěn Qīngqiū believed it sincerely, but A’Yuán said no. A’Yuán said that such a thing would cause greater chaos than a famine, a plague, and a war at the same time. People would fall like grains of millet, and those who didn’t die during a conflict would likely die of famine and disease. A’Yuán talked about something called the Great Leap Forward, and about how millions of people had died. His grandmother had told him stories which were horrifying. A’Yuán was one person, and one person would not be able to make sustainable changes that would benefit all. A’Yuán said that what they were doing now, sending disciples out into the world was enough. The disciples would teach and heal the poor, rescue children, and free slaves. With each disciple in the world, hundreds would benefit. It might take centuries, but Shěn Qīngqiū and A’Yuán had that time to observe and guide.
Whatever A’Yuán said, Shěn Qīngqiū would do. Whatever A’Yuán ordered, Shěn Qīngqiū would carry out. A’Yuán was Shěn Qīngqiū’s Son of Heaven, sent down by the Jade Emperor to this material world, and Shěn Qīngqiū needed no one else. Shěn Qīngqiū would joyfully serve A’Yuán all his life, and would happily die in service to A’Yuán. A’Yuán said to quit being silly, that Shěn Qīngqiū’s oaths were completely unnecessary, and that A’Yuán was completely fine in his house with Shěn Qīngqiū. White Lotus Pavilion was more than A’Yuán ever dreamed of, and A’Yuán would never trade his courtyard for anything. A'Yuán preferred his comfort, but Shěn Qīngqiū needed and was driven to provide more.
Finally, Shěn Qīngqiū's goal was in sight. Upon reaching the estate, he hopped off his sword, and hurried to White Lotus Pavilion and his husband. Normally Shěn Qīngqiū would bathe and change, but he couldn’t wait. Shěn Qīngqiū had been without his beloved husband for far too long, and needed to see his A’Yuán. Shěn Qīngqiū walked into A’Yuán’s canopy bed, and watched A’Yuán breathe quietly.
A’Yuán appeared to be wearing his brown inner robes. Originally golden golden spider-silk robes, these were patterned and resist-dyed. Small pinches of fabric had been tied with silk thread, then tossed in a dye vat. Once the threads were removed, tiny golden dots set against a brown background revealed outlines of patterns. This particular robe was a favorite of A’Yuán’s: chrysanthemums, maple leaves, with cranes flying over a pond of koi.
A’Yuán said it was his favorite because the autumn theme reminded A’Yuán of Shěn Qīngqiū whenever he was away. Another reason to love A’Yuán. He took Shěn Qīngqiū’s fury at being stuck with the Qiū name again, and helped Shěn Qīngqiū associate it with something better. His beloved A’Yuán wore the finest clothes that Shěn Qīngqiū could find. Shěn Qīngqiū felt they were plain and barely suitable for his A'Yuán, but there was nothing better.