Chapter 93 - Let Him Fall

"…"

"Let, let me see," he set his tea down reaching for the note. Eyes reading the note, he laughed softly as his eyes softened, "He must really love you."

"I am certain he wrote the wrong name," Shen, eyes of purple shook his head.

"When he returns, you can hug him and see," he waved the note, "If this was for me or you."

"Aw, Ah Shen," Hien looked at the white-haired boy with hands clasped before her chest, "It had been a long time since you received a hug from him, right?"

"I don't need a hug," a frown graced the boy's lips, but the redness against his ears told them otherwise, "His acknowledgement is enough."

Ying Yue patted the boy's head with a smile. A feeling of relief and affection surrounded his heart. Wang Li cared deeply for Fu Shen and in turn, so did he.

"Snow," he called out and the beast trekked toward him and sat placing his large head on his lap.

Running fingers through the fur and massaging the large scalp of the big cat, everyone returned to their work, but Yun stayed as he patted the animal.

"Why is your wrist bandaged?" Her voice was just as poignant, clear, and cold.

He glanced at his wrist and shook his sleeve to cover it.

"It is nothing Madame Yun," he excused, "Do not worry."

He felt a hand hold onto his arm and pulled it closer to the female. He tried pulling his arm back, but the look in those eyes narrowed at him. Fingers removed the bandages and his eyes saw the bruises on his wrist. Purple and green bloomed on his delicate skin. His eyes looked over to see concerned in her purple eyes.

"It is him again," Yun stated and rewrapped his wrist, "What happened this time?"

"An argument," he let out a breath and pulled his arm back to rest on the table, "Something so trivial."

"It had been happening more lately," Yun stated looking at the distance, "He will not be able to control himself. That demon," she clenched her hand on her thigh, "It must be his doing."

He laughed softly, sadly, "Do not worry Madame Yun," he looked down at Snow who was watching him with big blue eyes, "I will find out what is happening to him."

"How much are you willing to give," the silver haired female questioned softly, "... to find out the truth?"

"Everything," he answered with no hesitation, continuing to run his fingers through soft fur.

Wang Li, his husband was getting worse and he tried… he really, really tried. He was running out of options and ideas… he truly had no idea what to do anymore. When he closed his eyes, he saw warm silver eyes and soft smile on addicting lips. This was his husband.

Not the cold distant man he now lay with. If he ever spoke to him, Wang Li would have such resentment, such spite to his words that made Ying Yue feel as if his heart was shriveling up.

["Ah Li, what is wrong?"

"Stop asking me."

"I am concerned, husband. You've been so-"

"How I am is due to you. Your fretting is making me angry, wife."

"I-"

"Shut up!"

"But-"

His lover grabbed his wrist and squeezed it tightly, aiming cold angry eyes at him. Heated breath covered his face and he searched his husband's face with furrowed brows. A scowl covered Wang Li's face and he hardened his trembling heart.

"You are annoying and your incessant pestering is making you less and less attractive to me. I rather be in the arms of a whore than you."

He slapped his lover, hard and filled with anger, as his heart clenched with tears. He heard the deep growl from his husband and he was pushed against the wall. He gasped and slipped to the floor staring at the floor, refusing to cry before his cold husband.

"Don't you dare touch me again, wife. I will not warn you again."]

Shaking his blonde head, Ying Yue knew that was not Wang Li. That was not his kind special lover. His husband would not touch, speak, look at him that way. He needed to speak with his brothers, maybe they would help him figure something out. With that in mind, he stood up and said his goodbyes to the elder female.

"Ying Yue," Yun spoke up and he paused looking at her, "My nephew will fall. Let him."

"What? Why?" He felt anger stirring in him. Why would Yun even want to let her nephew be sucked into darkness? It didn't make sense to him.

"The heavens will see to it that the prophecy is uphold," she sounded defeated in his ears, "Do not make him struggle, Heaven's Chosen."

"No! It… I will find a way! I will not-" he stopped himself and turned away. Rushing past Snow who made a worried sound, he went to the cabin in the hill. Banging on the door, his heart was banging just as loud. He had to find a way. He needed to. He was not going to hurt Wang Li, never!

No one was opening the door and he fell to his knees clutching his chest. Shutting his eyes, the image of his lover smiling, whispering lovely words in his ear last night reminded him that his husband was good. He had to be.

"Ah Yue?"

He inhaled sharply and turned to see his brothers and master walking toward the cabin. Tears welled up in his eyes and he rushed to them. He didn't know who it was he was hugging, but he held tightly as he cried on them. A hand was placed on his head and he cried harder.

"Ying Yue, what is wrong?" His master questioned worried in his tone.

He pulled back and realized he was hugging his eldest brother. Wiping at his face quickly, he looked down filled with an ache in his heart.

"It was the Ghost King. He hurt you."

He hiccupped and fisted his hands against his robe.

"Please, I don't know what is happening to him. I… I need to help him. Please help me."

Pang Xi watched his young student begged with red rimmed eyes. He could see the worry in those golden eyes and the defeated look on his weary face. He thinned his lips and looked over at the cabin.

"Let us go inside, Ying Yue."

They entered the cabin and sat down. The brunette went to heat water for tea and that left the redhead and the green haired master watching the blonde. Ying Yue closed his eyes and the exhaustion was hitting him. His shoulders felt heavy with the weight of his burden, his worry, and the confusion.

"Tell us what has occurred."

"Master…" he hesitated, "I… I know something is wrong with him."

"With the Ghost King?"

Ying Yue nodded.

"He's colder… gets angry easily."

"He's hurt you," the redhead stated with narrowed eyes.

"I… yes, but! But I still love him. We spoke and he told me he is seeking assistance on understanding what is happening to him. I'm trying my best to help. I fear it is not enough. I need help. Please. Anything to assist me in helping him."

There was a quietness in the room and the brunette poured them the heated tea. He drank the tea and exhaled a deep breath. Looking at his family, they all seemed to be avoiding his eyes and that worried him.

"What is it?"

"Ah Yue…" his kind brother spoke up gently, coddling him with his tone, "You should stay here with us again."

"I'm not leaving Ah Li. He's my husband, brother."

"You asked for help, right? Staying here with us, with your family, will help our king."

"I don't understand?"

He saw his brother glanced at their eldest brother and their master, as if asking for permission. He tilted his head to his master who placed his teacup down on the table. The green-haired man sighed and looked at him with sadness and grief.

"You are cursed, Ying Yue."

"… what?"

"Did the Heavens not speak with you?"

"He had twice, but he, he only said that I was wrong. I thought he meant what I've done to help Ah Li. Are you telling me he cursed me?"

"Ah Yue…"

"What was the curse? I need to know. What does it have to do with Wang Li? I… please tell me."

"You are the curse."

He snapped his head to look at the redhead. What did his older brother mean by that? Brows furrowed and forehead creased as he thought about it.

"Ying Yue, you said your husband had gone to see the demon. Was there any advice?" His master questioned gently.

"I'm not sure… sometimes he seemed normal, then other times he isn't. I don't think there was much changes, but Wang Li is trying to see if it was the need to create chaos. Madame Yun told me… she told me to let Ah Li fall, let him give in and create chaos but I cannot do that. I cannot leave him and watch him give up all his goodness. I can't."

When he was done speaking, Ying Yue was breathing hard and his heart was having a hard time going back to beating normally. Pressing his hand against his chest, the blonde squeezed his fingers, as if to settle the thumps pounding his chest.

"Ying Yue. Your choice to stay with the Ghost King was not in the Heaven's plan. Therefore, Jade Emperor had done what he felt was needed."

"To put a curse on me?!"

"…Yes."

"What is the curse? Master, please be honest with me."

"The longer you stay with your husband, the more goodness you take from him, the quicker he gets to being true evil…" his master cupped his shoulder and looked at him sadly, "Do you understand, Ying Yue, what you must do?"

Tears slipped down his face once more and he stood up quickly. He bowed and headed to the door, pausing as he stared at the ground.

"I understand," he whispered and left the cabin.