Both men continue on with their day like normally, Gao Yichen had applied some more medicine on Yong Si′s body.
Later at afternoon Gao Yichen got ready to leave and asked Yong Si to come with him, the dragon god grunted but agreed nontheless. “Tell me my dear friend, is there any way you can hide your horns and tail? I don′t think I own any robes or capes that can cover those features up properly.” The doctor explained, Yong si didn′t talk much he still felt all grumpy from earlier that day, but he nodded in reply “This one has a human form but it′s much weaker than this form, but I-I trust you..” he mumbled before transforming, his human form didn′t look much different, he was much smaller like this, even shorter than Gao Yichen, his smooth and straight hair before was now quite messy, other than that he still looks the same but less.. threatening.
The doctor handed the white haired man a long robe with a hood and told him to keep the hood on. As both men left the hut to start their journey to the bigger village areas Gao Yichen pestered him with all kinds of stories, about history and even snippets of his life. Yong Si hated to admit it but he quite liked listening to the dcotors′ rambling, the air was fresh and warm. The forest path was very calming to the god, the sunrays shined greatly past the dense layers of colorful leaves on the trees.
The weather was amazing, Yong Si felt at ease.. for once, he walked closer to the man who was walking next to him and gently leaned his head on Gao Yichens′ firm shoulder who stopped in his tracks for a second before continuing their journey.
“My dear friend, we′re getting closer to our destination, just so you know we might come across one of general Yus′ soldiers, I got everything under control so don′t panic and stay by my side.” he announced while snaking an arm securely around the others′ shoulder holding him close. Yong Si let out a sigh while both men continued their stroll through the forest path in silence.
The big bustling village soon came into view, it looked so lively, many people were out an about there were lots of stalls selling all sorts of things. The doctor had noticed the gods′ awe and spoke up “this is the biggest village close and outside of the capital, alot of salesmen and women come here for work, there′s also a big military camp nearby.” he explained and Yong Si nodded allong attentively, the men entered the supervised village border, Gao Yichen was a well known doctor all around so he had no troubles with getting in.
Immediately the brown haired men walked up to a stall, the god hurried to follow him trying to keep his hood secure. “Oi!! Gao Yichen what a pleasure to see ya around again, tell me how can I help ya?” an elderly man spoke bubbily, throwing a toothy grin at the doctor who smiled and waved back “yes, hello old pal Li, nice to see you again, hope your family has been healthy and well yes? I’m just here to get some herbs and rice.” Gao Yichen replied calmly throwing a gentle smile at the elder.
“yes yes of course doc, here you go, I’ll give ya an extra scoop full of rice! friendship discount!” elder Li announced as he got ready to fill a big sack of rice up. “You see, I was so sad to hear that ya were visiting two days ago when I wasn’t around!!” he continued, Gao Yichen chuckled nervously and nodded “yes my bad, I was in quite a hurry you see.” he spoke while taking the sack of rice from the elder “Oi, who’s that guy behind you? do ya know him?” the elder man asked stepping forth from behind his stall to check Yong Si out, Gao Yichen was quick to pull him back standing inbetween Yong Si and elder Li.
“No need to worry my dear friend, that is a patient of mine, he’s incredibly shy and doesn’t like showing his face. He looks rather… aesthetically challenged!....” Gao Yichen muttered sounding almost panicked. first of all this guy sucks at lying and did he just call me ugly? what a bastard!!… Yong si thought. The older man hummed and nodded “I see sorry for the bother then, I’m assuming you’ll continue on your way no yes?” elder Li asked and Gao Yichen simply nodded in reply “yes it was nice talking to you, I’ll come visit someday again!” the doctor announced as he began to walk away,the cloaked Yong Si rnning to catch up to the other.
“What the fuck was that about?? saying that this one looks aesthetically challenged in that tone?! you have no idea on real beauty!!” Yong Si quietly hissed and hit Gao Yichens’ upper arm in the progress, the doctor held back his laughter causing him to snort slightly “my my…. you sure like throwing a hissy fit, I didn’t know what else to say okay!!” the brunett explained and continued walking, Yong Si eventually calmed down and just glanced around.
Both men arrived at a big bridge and the white haired man was quick to run to the railings and glance down into the water staring right at his reflection, the small river was partly covered lily pads and various beautiful lotuses, Yong Si sensed a familiar presence approach behind hi and soon saw the reflection of Gao Yichen leaning on the railing besides him. “It really is beautiful isn’t it? I would love to live in the village but I just can’t with people..” he mumbled, leaning his chin into his palm. “Well I didn’t ask, I’m trying to enjoy the view here..” Yong Si hissed back, the doctor scoffed and rolled his eyes causing Yong Si to giggle slightly, the doctor turned the opposite direction of which Yong Si was facing and slightly glanced at the white haired mans’ frame with the corner of his eyes.
Suddenly a loud group of galloping could be heard catching the attention from both men and many other villagers who all looked towards the source of the sound. A group of people on horses came into the view once the group entered the village they slowed down, everyone including Gao Yichen bowed slightly Yong Si looked around confused but did the same. The group on the horses came closer to them and an all too familiar voice spoke up “Ahh doctor I have been trying to contact you. Glad to see you here me and the emperor would like to see you.” the figure on the horse spoke, Yong Si was far too shaken up to look up and see the person face to face. “ahh.. general Yu-” before Gao Yichen could finish the general spoke up again “it′s an urgent matter, hop on, your little friend can come along too.” Immediately two soldiers got down from their horses and pulled the two men along, Gao Yichen was sat on the same horse as Yu Jiang and Yong Si was sat on a seperate horse.
The group continued on with their journey assumably to the capital, Yong Si felt anxiety bubble up in his stomach, if he were to be found out now things would get really bad. Oddly enough he wasn′t just thinking of himself, he was also worried about Gao Yichen.. the doctor would surely get punished too if things came out that he hid and aided a wanted loong. The god tried his best to focus on anything but the current situation, like the beautiful autumn scenary or the gentle warm yet chilling breeze flowing against his face.
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After what felt like an eternity of the god simply spacing out and staring off into the distance the group of soldiers soon came to an abrupt halt and began to get off, one soldier had helped Yong Si off of the big horse, he glanced up and saw how Gao Yichen and general Yu both walked up to him. Yong Si lowered his head slightly so his hood covered his features. “General Yu that′s my patient I took in, please don′t mind him he′s very shy and insecure.” Gao Yichen mumbled trying to sound as confident as he could while stepping next to the god who in return tried to hide behind the doctor to make the act seem as believable as possible.
Yu Jiang nodded in reply and hummed “Let′s go, we don′t wanna the emperor waiting.” Yu Jiang started making his way swiftly and elegantly to the imperial palace. Yong Si, Gao Yichen along with a few handful of soldiers followed the elegantly clothed person.
The god looked back and watched some more soldiers put all the horses in the stables, he wondered how the animals were feeling, he hoped the people were treating them right.
The god turned his gaze forward again glancing up at the grand palace the doors swiftly swung open, revealing a huge hall, there were some exquisite paintings and artifacts all around, many of the grand walls were painted with all kinds of murals from mythical heroic stories to various imagery of loongs being slayed. Yong Si gulped slightly and turned his gaze down watching his steps.
A shrilling voice rang out and the group came to an halt, Yong Si slightly bumped into the back of a soldier but quickly stepped back. “Ahh general Yu.. what a.. pleasure to see you!..” a female voice spoke up sounding awfully sarcastic, a strong voice of an elder man rang out too “now now madam yu mei, don′t be mean to a-Jiang, they′re working veryhard.” the elderly man cooed “soldiers, please bring my dear concubine back to her chamber.” the same voice called out. Yong Si assumed that was the emperor, he didn′t even wanna look up from where he was standing staring down at the floor.
The same female voice yelled out again “No! I’m telling you! Yu Jiang plans no good!! My lord please hear me out!” the concubine whined as she was being escorted out of the hall, the emperor simply sighed and walked closer to the group.
Gao Yichen quietly slipped past a soldier to stand next to Yong Si and placea gentle and comforting hand on his back, the god glanced up at im and leaned further into his touch, the doctor mouthed a small it’s okay at the white haired men, Yong Si now mustered up the courage to glance up and saw the emperor, he wore long thick black robes embroided with golden details, he wore grand jewelry and a big shiny mianguan sat on his head, he had a lonng black beard and tied up black hair, he looked old though.
“Welcome my dear A-Jiang I had awaited your visit, I see you brought the doctor with you. Also please don’t mind Yu Mei’s attitude..” the emperor cooed, he sounded almost all lovey dovey, Yong Si remembered what the doctor has told him before about their supposed relationship but still seeing it up close was.. odd .
General Yu hopped flipped their long black hair, “Yes I brought the doctor with me, I hope you had kept my injured soldiers safely in the infirmary. Also the doctor had brought a patient of his, he seems to be no threat whatsoever so he can stay if my dear lord approves.” the emperor smiled the general and then looked behind them to glance at the hooded Yong Si, the god looked back to the floor as if he were just caught in a crime.
“I see, soldiers, please bring our guests to their designated rooms.” the older man announced proudly, head held high as he walked away, the general hopped forward to follow the emperor cheerfully, some soldiers grabbed Gao Yichens’ and Yong Sis’ sleeves and led them to the opposite direction the emperor and general had gone too.
“please bring my patient to my designated chamber, he does not like to be alone.” Gao Yichen mumbled following the soldiers’ lead, Yong Si felt both annoying and glad at the remark, he did not want to be alone in the palace, Yong Si glanced around the halls taking in all the magnificent decoration. the soldiers led them to a decently sized room, it smelled pleasantly of old books and burnt incense, the pleasent light of the golden hour shined in through the big window.
Gao Yichen walked into the room and Yong Si was gently pushed in by a soldier, the Soldiers excused themselves and closed the sliding door, The doctor was quick to plop down on the floor and let out a long sigh before breaking the silence. “My dear friend, I’m so sorry for dragging you in this, I really can’t get a break from my duties.. I’ll speak with the general soon please don’t leave the room without my knowledge.” Yong Si plopped down next to the other man and stretched his sore limbs he prepped his body up with his elbows and lifted the hood from his head straightening out his wild hair as best as he could.
A knock rung out in the room catching the attention of both the god and the doctor, both men glanced over at the sliding door “excuse me doctor I’m sorry for the disturbance but the general has asked to see you.. both.” a deep voice of a man rang out from behind the door. Gao Yichen sighed again and got up signaling Yong Si to put his hood back on and follow him.
The men walked out following the soldiers’ lead wandering around the huge halls of the imperial palace, they stopped infront of a big doorframe arch way, a elegant golden courtain acted as a seperation between the halland the room. The soldier bowed and turned around to leave, the doctor walked through the curtain and Yong Si followed close behind.
The massive room was well lit with gorgeous lanterns, there were many shelves with vases and pretty shiny things making Yong Sis’ eyes sparkle in joy, there was a big elegant divan infront of a big wall scroll, an older man sat ontop of it looking quite bored, lots of women were in the room. Some were even playing some beautifuly musical tunes on various instruments, Yong Si assumed they were all possibly the emperors’ concubines.
“Step forward Gao.” the emperor spoke absently twiddling with a porcelain cup in his grasp, the brown haired man stepped forward and bowed and kneeled on the floor, the doctor glanced back staring sternly at Yong Si as if he were trying to tell him something, he began mouthing a very agressive ′sit down!’. The god stumbled forward to the doctors’ side bowed and sat down besides.
“Your greatness, I thought the general had wanted to.. see me, where are they?” the doctor muttered, The old emperor glanced over at the men and scoffed “oh A-Yu has gone to fetch something, they’ll be back soon.” his voice sounded smooth and unbothered. ′thank god’ Yong Si thought, he did not want to be in a closed room with the general.
“husbandddddd~ you have to believe me! that general is no good!!” A familiar female voice whined out from behind the men, Yong Si, curiosity driven glanced back at the form of an tall and elegantly dressed woman. Some of the other women in the room erupted in a small wave of laughter, Yong Si thought that woman was weird.. she.. had a weird aura around her, normally one he’d notice on the undead.
The woman strided in towards the emperor sat on the divan, the man simply scoffed and roll his eyes “Yu Mei! What has gotten into you all of a sudden!? A-Yu has done great services for us they are no threat! Do you want to be sent into time-out again?!” the emperor shouted at the woman, Yong Si looked over it his companion who seemed like he wasn’t paying any attention to the commotion infront of them at all.
The woman huffed greatly glancing at the two men sitting on the floor, her eyes shifted up to glance behind them at the entrance. “I’m back, I see the doctor and his guest has already arrived!~” sang a familiar voice behind the men, Gao Yichen straightened his posture up. The concubine stormed off, Yu Jiang watched her and returned their attention back to the people in the room.
Some of the other concubines chuckled among one another and continued playing on their instruments.
