Imperial Uncle

"A-Xu, what is it? Why are you looking at me like that?" Xiao Jinyi watched Shen Shixu draw closer and closer, so close that he could make out the fine pores on Shen Shixu's face and his rosy lips.

Xiao Jinyi turned his face away, not daring to keep looking. He was afraid he would be unable to resist kissing him.

But Shen Shixu persisted, following him. His eyes shone as he looked at Xiao Jinyi and said excitedly, "Is the Truth-Telling Gu you just mentioned the kind of gu I'm thinking of? Gu insects really exist in this world? Can I see it?"

Shen Shixu was terribly curious about these gu insects. In the modern world of his previous life, he had already been fascinated by the Miao gu insects he saw on television. Such tiny creatures possessed such incredible abilities: they could save lives, but they could also make life worse than death.

After coming to Great Qian, he had secretly asked around behind his family's backs, but all he found were false leads.

As time passed, he had gradually forgotten about it. He had never expected that once he stopped asking, the information would come to him instead.

Seeing how interested he was, Xiao Jinyi wondered whether giving him one would make him more important in Shen Shixu's heart.

So he offered, "That's right. It's exactly the kind of gu insect you're thinking of. When we had tea before, I told you I have an imperial uncle who roams the martial world. He brought this back after going to the Southern Border to compete in martial arts.

"But I only have this one. If you like it, once my aunt's situation is resolved, I'll give you the Truth-Telling Gu.

"It's no use to me anyway. You're the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. With it, if you encounter a stubborn criminal in the future, things will be easier for you, and you won't have such a headache."

Shen Shixu had only wanted to take a look. He had never expected Xiao Jinyi to offer him the gu insect.

Had it been anything else, he could have accepted it, but this was a souvenir Xiao Jinyi's uncle had brought him, and there was only one. It would not be right to take it.

"Your Highness, I only wanted to look at it, not take it. Besides, it's a gift from your uncle, and you only have one. I shouldn't take it.

"If I want some, I can always send someone to the Southern Border to get them for me."

Seeing that he was unwilling to accept it, Xiao Jinyi did not insist. He merely decided that after Shen Shixu left, he would write to his imperial uncle and ask him to make another trip to the Southern Border to bring back a few gu insects.

It would be wonderful if he could get a Golden Silkworm Gu. He had heard that it could heal injuries and was hailed as the king of all gu.

But Xiao Jinyi was only entertaining the thought. How could the king of all gu be so easy to obtain? Getting a few other kinds would already be good enough.

Xiao Lie, who was fishing for his beloved, suddenly let out a loud sneeze. The fish that had been about to bite was frightened away.

Seeing the fish escape, Xiao Lie was so annoyed that he went straight into the river and scooped it out. He tossed it onto the grass, then used his internal energy to dry himself.

Carrying the fish that had been flopping on the ground, he headed toward the bamboo grove behind him. Beyond the grove stood a small bamboo house.

Xiao Lie pushed the door open and entered to find his darling gazing delightedly at an earthenware pot on the table, about the size of a wine jar.

At the sound of the door opening, Bai Lixi turned to look, the silver ornaments he wore jingling with his movement.

"A-Lie, listen! I've successfully cultivated my Golden Silkworm Gu, and they're a twin pair!

"As long as two people take these Golden Silkworm Gu, a connection will form between them. If one is injured, the other will sense it, and they can even get a vague sense of each other's location."

At this, Bai Lixi looked happily at Xiao Lie. "A-Lie, this pair of gu was practically born for us."

Seeing how happy he was, Xiao Lie naturally went along with him. He took out a dagger and cut his wrist, then lifted a golden insect from the pot and placed it directly on the wound.

The Golden Silkworm Gu crawled into Xiao Lie's body through the wound. It was a rather frightening sight.

Bai Lixi also cut his wrist with the dagger, then took the remaining Golden Silkworm Gu from the pot. It, too, burrowed into his body through the wound.

Once Bai Lixi saw that the gu insects had entered both their bodies, he quickly took out wound salve and applied it to them both.

After their wounds were bandaged, Xiao Lie looked at the adorably ugly bow on his wrist and laughed. "Your bandaging is still as distinctive as ever."

Bai Lixi glanced at the bow tied around Xiao Lie's wrist. A blush swept over his fair face, and he said, a little flustered, "So what? I like tying them this way. If you don't like it, go find someone else to do it for you!"

Bai Lixi turned his head away as he spoke, looking as though Xiao Lie was welcome to go find someone else. Yet he kept glancing back. His movements were slight, but his head was covered in silver ornaments, and even the smallest movement made them jingle.

Xiao Lie naturally knew Bai Lixi did not mean what he said. He stepped forward and held his shoulders, bringing his lips close to his ear as he said softly, "When did I say I disliked it? It only reminded me of when we first met. Speaking of which, we've known each other for so long, and we're together now. I've even met your clan elders. Isn't it time you came home with me to meet my family?"

At his words, hesitation appeared on Bai Lixi's face. He wanted very much to meet Xiao Lie's family, too, but his identity...

Xiao Lie understood what made him hesitate. He embraced Bai Lixi, his voice gentle but firm. "I know what you're worried about. I'll write to my elder brother beforehand and ask him to help. Once he replies, I'll take you home.

"If anyone mistreats you there, you don't have to put up with it. Just tell me, and I'll take you away and never go back. But when that happens, you mustn't get tired of me!"

His words dispelled Bai Lixi's worries. "There's no need to write to your brother. Let's go to your home now! I'll do my best to make them like me. If that really doesn't work, I'll take you away.

"The Southern Border is so vast. Surely I can afford to support you?"

Hearing this, Xiao Lie immediately began packing. What if Bai Lixi lost his nerve after a little while?

Bai Lixi joined him in tidying up, though his task was different from Xiao Lie's.

Xiao Lie was packing the things they would take home, while he was making arrangements for his precious creatures.

Once everything was settled, the two husbands set off for the Capital.

As Xiao Lie traveled, he had no idea how much work his dear nephew had taken on for him.

Shen Shixu stayed with Xiao Jinyi a little longer. Seeing that it was getting late, he rose and took his leave.

Xiao Jinyi left the palace with him, as he also needed to return to his princely residence.