The tea house seemed to hold its breath.
Shen Yao's eyes were locked onto the portrait like he was trying to see something. He didn't speak, waiting for Guo Yun to speak first. The candle on the table flickered between them, casting shifting shadows across the wood.
"You're quiet," he said.
"Oh, then let me answer your question even though the portrait isn't finished I can tell you." Guo Yun's voice was calm, unhurried.
"Then...." Shen Yao glanced at him, his tone tinged with a sort of impatience he himself hadn't noticed yet.
"That's His Royal Majesty Emperor Qui Qian" Guo Yun smiled "The current emperor of Dalishu and my cousin"
Shen Yao paused for a long while.
Something about this felt familiar but he couldn't quite tell why.
As if realizing the absurdity of his own actions, he quickly slid the portrait back toward Guo Yun.
"It's good" he nodded
Leaning back in his chair as he rubbed his forehead slightly. The wood creaked softly beneath him. He let the silence stretch not because he had nothing to say. But he just couldn't say anything at the time.
Guo Yun slowly reached out, rolled the portrait, and tucked it into his sleeve. After all of that he simply waited, his hands resting loosely on the table, his pale blue eyes steady.
What's happening? Shen Yao thought.
This is the second time.
Taking a deep breath Shen Yao about to say something but he saw Guo Yun wave his hand carelessly.
"I already said it was fine so don't bother with it."
Seeing this Shen Yao nodded and stayed silent.
Guo Yun on the other hand happily reached for his cup and took a slow sip. When he set it down, his expression was still calm, but softer. The guarded edge was gone.
"If you want to meet his majesty the Emperor of Dalishu, I can help you." he said.
"Consider this a formal invitation to visit Dalishu, maybe someday I can show you the beauty of the north."
Shen Yao's fingers stilled on the table.
"Thank you for the offer then."
The room fell silent again but this time it wasn't as heavy. Both of them slowly finished their tea in a weird comfort. Deep in their own thoughts.
---
Qui Qian
Shen Yao had heard the name before. In reports, in whispers at court, in the quiet conversations of ministers who thought no one was listening.
Qui Qian.
The young emperor.
The undefeated ruler.
The one who had purged his own court before he turned 19.
He had never thought the name had anything to do with him but now he wasn't sure anymore.
Feeling that heated gaze that he had felt before from Guo Yun. Shen Yao felt that familiar discomfort again.
Maybe because he could sense Shen Yao's discomfort. he cleared his throat and spoke.
"Your eyes somewhat remind me of his"
Guo Yun's smile was gentle, but his eyes were serious.
"Who?"
"The emperor's"
The words hung in the air between them.
Shen Yao did not move. His face showed nothing. But inside, something cold and quiet settled into his chest an uncertainty he had been avoiding.
My eyes
His fingers instinctively touched the side of his cheek.
Now that he thought about it...no
It fit way too well.
He reached for his cup and took a slow sip. The tea had cooled, but he barely noticed.
"Coincidences happen."
"True." Guo Yun's voice was steady. "You're right. It doesn't specifically mean anything."
Shen Yao set down the cup.
"I heard his majesty has a brother." Shen Yao said casually, though it was obvious he just didn't want to talk about his eyes again
"He does" Guo Yun of course didn't want to make Shen Yao repulsed by him, so he followed. "Prince Chu Qian"
Guo Yun met his gaze.
"He was sent away at a young age and has been raised outside on the battlefield since then."
The tea house remained quiet. The merchants downstairs had gone. The old man in the corner had finished his tea and left. Only the soft flicker of candlelight and the faint scent of sandalwood remained.
A lot of time had passed but Shen Yao felt like no time had passed at all. Right now, his thoughts were in disarray all the facts were laid down but the straightforward answer seemed unrealistic.
Too good to be true.
Just too convenient for his own liking.
After the candle had burned lower.
"Remember what I said" Shen Yao heard Guo Yun say.
He snapped out of his chaotic thoughts and glanced at Guo Yun confused.
"What?"
Guo Yun smiled slightly as he stood up
"I mean don't forget the invitation to Dalishu, it's open to use anytime."
Shen Yao did not say anything as he watched Guo Yun walk toward the door.
"Why should I trust you?" He finally said as Guo Yun touched the doorknob.
"You shouldn't," Guo Yun said simply. "Not yet at least. But you should ask yourself a question."
"And what's that?"
"If everything I've told you is true"
"Or if everything you're trying to avoid could be the truth"
Shen Yao did not answer.
Guo Yun opened the door.
"You've noticed it yourself. Emperor Wei's attention is tightening around your family. The border is becoming more chaotic, and your current position isn't particularly secure" Guo Yun said.
Shen Yao's jaw tightened. He knew Guo Yun was right. He had seen the emperor's paranoia firsthand.
"Is that a threat?" Shen Yao's fist clenched tightly.
Guo Yun's expression softened.
"Not at all, I'm merely reminding you of the circumstances you're already living in"
Shen Yao sat in silence for a long moment.
The candle flickered. The tea had gone cold. Outside, the evening shadows stretched long across the street.
"I won't escort you out, your highness" Shen Yao said.
Guo Yun nodded
He actually expected this reaction. Nodding, he stepped out the door leaving as fast as he had appeared.
Shen Yao was finally left alone to his own thoughts. He sighed heavily leaning on the table.
What exactly was happening?
Why was everything getting so complicated?
He slowly sat up rubbing his face.
He felt that he needed to sit down and think about everything.
With that thought in place, he stood up and left the room no longer willing to be there anymore.