Chapter Text
The culture of the demonkind was rich in customs and traditions spanning thousands of years, with each clan having its own rites. These traditions tangled with each other and then unraveled in a vivid kaleidoscope. In this ever-spinning carousel of the past and the future, some traditions shone brighter than others. Little could compare to spouse kidnapping. Each time a beauty was successfully captured, an extravagant banquet was thrown by the new couple.
Those banquets had enough alcohol to drink one into the next week and it had more beauties than one could choose from. Some parties even went on for days and nights, with the display of opulence continuously pouring.
Binghe, however, did not enjoy them much and only attended the most important ones. There were two reasons for that. One, he loved much more traveling around with Shen Yuan and joining small random parties under the cover of anonymity rather than having to play the role of the Feared Overlord.
Two, he wished to show his husband at those parties as little as possible lest some bastard thought of taking Shen Yuan away. That was a real concern. Not only was Shen Yuan a peerless beauty, but he was a beloved Peak Lord at an esteemed sect. More so, he belonged to a demon overlord and former disciple. There was something very enticing about such a taboo. Many rumors flew around, some more scandalous than others, which lead to quite a big group of demons becoming infatuated with this spicy beauty.
So, Binghe tried his best to hide Shen Yuan away. Still, this upcoming banquet was an important one they could not miss.
On the day of the banquet, because his cute A-Yuan had some matters to solve as Shizun, while Binghe had a few official letters to answer, they decided to meet in the carriage on the way to the celebration.
As soon as Binghe was done with his work, he rushed to get washed and dressed before the carriage with his A-Yuan arrived. He styled his beautiful curls in a high ponytail held in place by a thick band of black gold adorned with blood-red embellishments. His strong body was dressed in fine clothes of red and black silks, with delicate gilded trimmings. At the top, the robes had a wide opening through which his generous chest peeked. The jade pendant rested there, while Zheng Yang stood proudly at his waist.
As he peered at himself in the mirror, he could not help but grin. He was truly handsome. He surely had no match in his husband’s eyes. Though, Binghe thought, maybe he should bully A-Yuan a bit. So he used a bit of red pigment and reddened his lips enough for them to look freshly kissed. He also tugged at the opening in the robes until his chest and abs were on full display. Shen Yuan loved to squish around when no one was looking and Binghe wanted to provide some entertainment in the carriage.
Binghe was ready for a good time and a flirty night out.
Full of self-assurance, he made his way to the courtyard where the carriage just arrived. The banquet was to celebrate the successful spouse kidnapping and commemorate the overthrow of a lord by another that Binghe supported. This new lord was coming from an ancient demon lineage and had many treasures to spare. This was why she sent an expensive carriage to all the official guests besides throwing a big enough party to scandalize some Gods.
The carriage was of dark-green wood, with intricate flower carvings all over. Even the wheels looked like the living branches of an old willow tree. There were no windows and the door disappeared within the web of carvings when closed. Lamps shaped like lily flowers glowed with an eerie green light, two lilies in the front of the carriage and two at the back. There was no horse so how the carriage moved was a mystery that made the vehicle look like a fine jewelry box.
The perfect carriage to hold a treasured beauty. Binghe opened the door with an excited look just to be slapped in the face by the figurative weight of one hundred bricks.
There was a bamboo fairy gazing at Binghe behind a shimmery fan.
Shen Yuan was dressed in a long dress that looked tailored out of one hundred flowing silks and one hundred glittering stars. The thinnest silks must have been used as even the slightest movement made the bottom of the dress shift in the light like autumn fog gliding across rippling waters. A myriad of crystals had been embellished onto the fabrics to create an even daintier image.
The dress had a high neckline that opened slightly at the chest to reveal a sliver of pale skin. A delicate golden chain with hanging threads of green emeralds loosely hugged Shen Yuan’s lithe hips. His arms were bare, only a wide fan that seemed made out of milky lotus petals was held by Shen Yuan. A thin green veil covered the lower part of his face. Long gilded earrings peeked through the loose black hair. A small golden crown with two white lotuses on each side of the head completed the look.
Any thoughts of impressing or bullying his A-Yuan flew out of the window. Binghe was so taken aback that he stood rooted in place, his mind devoid of thoughts.
It was Shen Yuan who called for him and offered one hand to help Binghe enter the carriage.
Normally, Binghe would have tried to gather his husband in his arms but he now felt shy, as if he was once more a student flustered by an affectionate Shizun. Shen Yuan looked just sooo … Binghe gazed softly at his husband to see him blushing behind the fan.
He looked both ethereal and erotic in that attire.
An unexpected movement sent his A-Yuan in his arms. It was the carriage. For it to move, the wheels transformed into four long tendrils as legs and walked them to the banquet. Truly, one could see that the new lord came from a lineage of demons excelling in Botanics.
Timid hands hooked around Binghe’s strong arms as Shen Yuan placed himself comfortably in his lap. Fire instantly coursed through Binghe’s body, almost as if demonic blood burned at his sensitive nerves.
Binghe looked down helplessly to properly see Shen Yuan’s full face. His lovely eyes were painted with red pigments giving him peace blossom eyes. Each time he blinked, Binghe felt his heart itch. His husband’s lips were painted the same color as Binghe’s.
Shen Yuan was simply stunning and Binghe was not sure how he could recover. His poor brain struggled between wishing to rail A-Yuan and wanting to worship him like an untouchable deity.
It was Shen Yuan who made the decision for him as he kissed him shyly, while his hands tenderly squished around Binghe’s chest.
‘Does my husband like what he sees?’ Shen Yuan asked between gentle kisses.
‘If I were to kiss your feet right now, I would overtake Heavens for you.’
‘You bully …’ A-Yuan whined at the romantic words as he raised Binghe’s chin with his fan and licked his lips before diving into another kiss. A-Yuan’s lips tasted unusually sweet, probably from the balm that was used to make them shine. They made Binghe hungry enough to overcome his initial shyness and slowly feel his husband’s body through the dainty fabrics.
Their kiss deepened as they explored each other’s bodies without restraint. Binghe’s gaping robes must have done something to his husband as he kept grabbing and kneading at the exposed skin. Binghe did not fall behind, as he pinched and roughed Shen Yuan through his clothes.
It did not take long for both of them to break from the kiss and breathed heavily.
‘Be good. You are allowed more when we return.’
Shen Yuan used his Shizun voice to temper Binghe, but saying in such a labored breath only railed Binghe further. He was about to go under Shen Yuan’s skirt when his words stopped him.
‘I saw that the other spouses wore something like this, so I wished to make sure I too followed the protocol for my h-husband.’ The little stutter and blushing face were so cute Binghe almost missed the words.
‘What other spouses?’
Binghe’s brain was finally struck back into functioning. The more Shen Yuan explained, the more Binghe felt like going into qi deviation. His husband thought that the beauties often accompanying other high-ranking demon lords at banquets were their spouses and it was why they were dressed in such flashy clothing. So, Shen Yuan decided to wear similar garments instead of his more austere Peak Lord robes.
The truth was, those were no spouses. Some were not even concubines! Those were almost always beauties to entertain the lords for one night only.
And his sweet A-Yuan dressed just like those beauties ...
Should they still go? Binghe fiercely wished they did not have to but it was too late to create any good excuse. His heart was full of anxiety knowing that his A-Yuan was sure to attract even more attention than usual. His husband was going to attract all the attention!!!! What if those bastards really did start thinking of kidnapping him? What if someone declared some war?
A long night awaited Binghe.
‘B-but my husband does not need worry.’ A-Yuan tried to pacify Binghe when he noticed how pale he suddenly got. ‘I s-saw some of those spouses not wearing anything under their clothing. I do have something.’
Binghe considered having to hide away with Shen Yuan in the Endless Abyss.
‘May this husband know what A-Yuan is wearing?’
‘My husband can see at home. It’s l-lacy.’
Binghe was 100% certain he would either throw up blood or spill someone else’s by the end of the banquet.
For the rest of the ride, Binghe tried to focus on the sleepy sway of the carriage to take away from both his worries and the low simmering heat he felt. He failed each time a vigorous sway made A-Yuan shift in his lap and send sparks of desire up his spine. One unfortunate event after another ...
As Binghe expected, his nightmare came true. From the moment he walked Shen Yuan into the banquet hall, all the eyes were upon him. Almost instantly after, murmurs filtered through the cheery music, while some shameless demons winked at his husband.
Binghe threw them the dirtiest look as he put his free hand on the hilt of his sword. His dark eyes glowed with a tinge of red, while his demonic aura seeped through the air around him. It was enough to make the onlookers think twice about approaching his husband, but he knew it was only a matter of time till he would have to unsheath his sword.
As the two of them sat at their table, many pairs of lustful eyes focused on his Shen Yuan. Binghe stuck as close as he could to his husband, watching carefully everyone around them.
At the same time, Shen Yuan tried his best to not die on the spot. It was not because of the uproar he caused. No, he thought it was all because his Binghe was so handsome and domineering. He was blushing behind his fan because his dress … was so flashy and revealing. He rarely wore something like this in public. More so, he was a bit sad that Binghe did not try to get under his skirt in the carriage ...
Binghe seemed too focused on peering at those around them rather than giving Shen Yuan his undivided attention. He secretly expected Binghe to not hold back from touching him and behaving really spoiled ...
Shen Yuan tried to shake those worries away and busied himself with the usual activity: peering over his fan-like an aloof immortal, as if undisturbed and uninterested by anything around him. That was until he noticed some of those spouses from a table across him. They were all gathered like beautiful elegant swans around a demon lord.
Those spouses looked at Shen Yuan and giggled among them before they would throw coquettish gazes at his husband. Normally he would not care at all, but he then noticed Binghe looking at those spouses with an intense gaze.
Cold chills pierced Shen Yuan’s heart. He threw those spouses a dirty look as he picked some fruits, cut them into small pieces, and fed them to Binghe. Shen Yuan had no intention of sharing his role as a spouse with anyone else.
Binghe's attention was instantly back on him. His eyes softened and glowed with a warm light as he carefully took each bite Shen Yuan offered. He even greedily caught Shen Yuan’s wrist to place tender kisses. Yet, the summer heat was covered by winter frost.
Binghe’s attention was almost immediately after captured again by those across the table.
The truth was, Binghe did not even see the beauties at that table. No, he was focused on the demon lord among them who was infamous for his harem, which was the biggest in the realm.
Binghe knew that lord has had his eyes on his husband for the longest time, but he never tried coming closer until now. From how those ten eyes glowed with lust, Binghe knew he was plotting something foul.
It wasn’t only that lord that Binghe had to pay attention to, but also to others who tried to come close as well. There were too many hands, paws, tentacles, and hoofs slithering A-Yuan’s way!
The only sliver of attention left was given to Shen Yuan, who looked so lovely sticking to his side and feeding him with a blushing face.
Because Binghe was focused on so many people, he failed to see the beauties at the opposite table challenge Shen Yuan to a drinking contest. Slowly, like the clouds rolling over the blue sky before a storm, Shen Yuan’s behavior became more and more shameless.
He dropped the small golden fork and used his hands to feed Binghe. If some sweet droplets fell down his long fingers, he would swiftly slip them behind the veil and slowly lick them while he looked straight into Binghe’s eyes. More so, Shen Yuan started to squirm and ever so slightly knit his brow. After being married for so long, it was too easy for Binghe to guess that his husband was needy.
Only when his husband slipped a hand in Binghe’s lap and stroked a certain fellow did he realize something was not right. He finally looked carefully at his A-Yuan and noticed just how hazy his eyes were and how he slightly smelled of sweet alcohol.
‘How many cups did you drink?’
‘Does my husband like me?’ Shen Yuan asked as he grouped harder around Binghe’s lap.
His husband’s wanton behavior was already making it hard to protect him, but now they were definitely in danger. Those words must have already traveled through the whole banquet hall. How could Binghe even think of becoming hard in that moment?
‘Would my husband like to dance?’ Binghe asked with the hope that hiding away in the partying crowd would help.
‘Only if you answer my question.’ A-Yuan pouted.
Binghe had to give in. He took A-Yuan’s pale hands in his and kissed them chastely. ‘My husband is so beautiful, I fear the Sun may take you away.’
Pleased, Shen Yuan accepted the dance and then threw an arrogant look at the beauties from the opposite table. Only then did Binghe realize there must have been something between his husband and those beauties. Whatever it was, Binghe was sure it was the doing of that demon lord.
The banquet hall was enormous and housed many areas of entertainment. A tall pavilion was placed right in the middle. The pavilion was nearly entirely made out of solid gold, with great flower sculptures decorating the roof and illuminating the dancers underneath in a gilded auburn light. The floor was the only one of a different shade, with it constructed out of polished deep-green jade. Phantom traces of flowers were barely visible within the precious stone. A quick and exciting tempo called the guests to come dance.
Dancing was a time when Binghe could flirt as much as he wished without the worry that his husband would run away in shyness. He enjoyed playing with his husband and spinning A-Yuan to then drag him back and spin him again before finally dragging him back fully in his arms. His big hands would often slip below the waistline in the process, while the demon blood would melt A-Yuan in a puddle of warm honey.
Yet he had none of that peace at this banquet. The moment he spun A-Yuan around the first time, Binghe realized how badly he miscalculated. The skirt of the dress bloomed like the cup of a spring flower, the silk gleaming as if kissed by morning dew. A long slit revealed his husband’s long legs all the way to his soft thighs.
Binghe was not a dance away from falling into the sheets but in the middle of a battleground. He instantly saw all those gleaming eyes, sharp fangs, and dirty smirks around them.
Peace was no longer an option. Just as the first dagger flew towards the two of them, Binghe took out Zheng Yang and deflected it. The dance floor descended in a mixture of lustful dancers and thirsty demons armed to the teeth. There were flashes of silk and sharp blades, of surging demonic energies caught in a fierce clash of power.
With one hand Binghe fought while with the other he held A-Yuan. The music turned darker, a sinful tune plunging the banquet hall into a dangerous atmosphere. Binghe fought just as he danced following a strange rhythm. Luckily, A-Yuan was so drunk, his eyes were on Binghe only. His eyes glowed with cheer as he spun around and followed Binghe’s steps.
Binghe was holding well to all the attacks until he and Shen Yuan were suddenly surrounded by a thick spinning circle of red silk. Binghe instantly knew this was one of the most dangerous demon lords, one that specialized in illusions. That circle was not real, only a distortion. The more they stood inside of it, the more they risked for deadly swords to fly their way unexpectedly.
It was important to focus until the opening presented itself right before an attack. Binghe carefully looked for the right moment but was interrupted by Shen Yuan suddenly kissing him.
‘My husband should only look my way.’ he chastised as he licked Binghe’s lips.
The shameless behavior was enough to make the illusionist demon lord scream with jealousy, so they charged ahead, breaking the illusion. Binghe fiercely counteracted the attack, sparks flying when the swords collided before he sent the demon flying. He took Shen Yuan in a bridal carry and jumped high from the jammed dance floor.
He channeled spiritual energy in his feet as he dashed towards the only safe place in the hall. The private room of the celebrated demon lord.
It was located somewhere above the banquet hall and it was hidden behind a few sheer curtains. Guards protected the entrance. When the two of them arrived, the guards granted them a swift entry.
The demon lord was busy pampering her new spouse. She was peeling the skin of grapes before offering each grape to a beauty hidden inside a sedan. The demon lord was not concerned with the fact that the banquet hall was currently trashed. It was filled with cheap things anyways, she said as she offered another grape.
Shen Yuan sat in his lap while Binghe discussed with the demon lord. When he asked for protection as he made his way out of the hall, she agreed.
‘After all, it was because of your assistance that I was able to finally marry my JieJie.’ the demon lord purred in delight.
While Binghe carried Shen Yuan in a princess carry and dashed towards the exit, guards poured through the hall and fought the demons who wished to steal his A-Yuan away. Once outside, Binghe ran as fast as he could towards the carriage. A few demons chased them, but unexpectedly, A-Yuan took his shoes off and threw them right in the middle of the faces of those demons.
‘My husband’ hic ‘is only mine! And I am his only harem!’ hic.
Binghe would have kissed him right then and there if his heart did not fill with dread first. Shen Yuan’s bare feet bathed in the moonlight, making the demons who saw them go insane with lust. Binghe could not get quick enough to the carriage and safely lock his husband inside. All the way back, he fought on top of the carriage until the horns of his army were finally heard.
His generals heard rumors of the commotion so they started to gather. Binghe gave Sha Hualing and Mobei Jun orders to fight, while he took Shen Yuan back to his residence.
Finally, safely inside Binghe’s bedroom, Shen Yuan’s drunkenness was nearly all dissipated. Binghe slowly guided him towards the bed, finally feeling the fire he held under control taking over every inch of his body.
‘My husband was so seductive tonight’ he hummed, ‘made it really hard for me to hold back.’
‘Don’t lie. Binghe looked everywhere but this husband tonight.’
Binghe blinked in surprise at the affirmation. Did Shen Yuan think that him looking at those lustful lords was because he was interested in them? Binghe smirked, satisfaction welling in his heart. His husband was jealous all while he behaved so wantonly.
‘So disobedient’ Shen Yuan murmured as he pushed Binghe on the bed. ‘Tonight, you must not take your eyes off me.’
Binghe’s smirk widened. ‘Then, this husband has a request.’
Binghe took the sash off his waist and tied it over Shen Yuan’s eyes. ‘Wear this while you entertain me.’ he whispered hotly against one of Shen Yuan’s ears.
‘T-then, to be even, I a-also have a request.’
Shen Yuan’s request was for Binghe to wear his pet collar, something he accepted. Binghe liked this enticing game they were playing of who could dominate the other more. Tonight, they both tried to completely own the other.
Binghe sat on the bed holding his pipa, while his husband stood in front of him with his eyes covered by the sash. The soft candlelight revealed his shy smile hidden by the veil. Without hesitation, Binghe strung the pipa, an enticing rhythm pouring through the room.
Like falling under a spell, Shen Yuan danced. Binghe watched how the dress hugged and enhanced A-Yuan’s willowy body. A game of shadows and see-through fabrics. He could not decide whether it would be better to do his husband clothed or naked.
Shen Yuan blushed brightly under his veil, and Binghe knew it was because of how hungrily he watched him. How could he not when his husband was so erotic and when he moved according to a dance Binghe had thought him in the past.
It soon became too painful to wait anymore, so Binghe pushed the pipa aside and pulled at the long chains of emeralds around A-Yuan’s hips to come closer. Without a warning, Shen Yuan pulled at Binghe’s collar and kissed him roughly as he rolled his hips in his lap.
That night, as demon lords fought Binghe’s army, the two of them fought for dominance in the sheets. As the demon lords let out war cries, the two of them let cries of pure pleasure.
Did Shen Yuan ever learn that he, in fact, did not dress like a spouse for that night? Yes, he did. Shang Qinghua told him through tears of laughter the next day. That prompted him to talk with Binghe and find out his cute husband had been watching the demon lords to see if they had nefarious plans, not to flirt with them. After the two of them discussed it all, Shen Yuan ended up hiding against Bighe’s chest in embarrassment, as Binghe chuckled and placed sticky kisses all over him.
Shen Yuan swore to never go to a banquet in the demon realm ever again. Still, he wore that dress again many times at Binghe’s request.