Chapter Text
Xie Lian stood in awe, gazing at the four towering buildings interconnected with each other, each of them having at least fifteen floors―nestled in the heart of the campus. He couldn't shake off the feeling this place gave him; the campus resembled a medieval European castle, with the only difference the buildings weren't encircled by high, imposing walls, but trees. Either way, no matter how long Xie Lian's eyes were settled on the view before him, he was left with a breathaking impression. It was a place where Xie Lian would attend and learn so many things for the next few years!
Was it really just a campus? Naturally, it was the best university in the capital, with thousands of students attending each year, selected from those with the highest results. However, the shape of the buildings left Xie Lian speechless, making him feel like a prince invited to the palace by the king himself to participate in the royal courtship.
Though those empires had ceased to exist hundreds of years ago, Xie Lian wasn’t here to seek someone to spend the rest of his life with. His only desire was to pursue knowledge.
He had been staring at the highest point of building A for a while, but the sun’s rays reflecting off the wall of windows prompted him to avert his eyes, bringing him back to reality.
“Right, I don’t want to be late,” he murmured under his breath, smiling softly. It was his first day here, and making a bad first impression in his professors’ eyes was the last thing he wished for. With one last, deep breath, Xie Lian shook his head and headed towards the lecture hall, where a history class was about to begin.
⋆ ⋆ ⋆
As he slipped inside, Xie Lian realized the hall was huge. It was filled with what seemed like hundreds of students, all gathered here patiently awaiting the class with the most respected professor in the history department ― Jun Wu. Despite being in his early forties, Jun Wu possessed academic credentials that far exceeded his age.
Xie Lian was fortunate to use his allocated educational credits to sign up for the class with the man he admired.
Thus, with the hall almost filled to the brim, Xie Lian barely found a seat for himself. Unfortunately, it was near the back, so he likely wouldn’t be able to see the professor clearly. However, given the university’s budget, he hoped he would hear him without a problem.
Xie Lian glanced at his watch ― probably older than he was, kitschy in design and old-fashioned, but still working ― and realized that he still had more than five minutes before the class began.
Xie Lian felt a buzzing excitement course through his body whenever his thoughts turned to the new stage of his life ― academic life ― at the most prestigious academy in the country. He had spent most of his high school days locked inside his house or the library, gathering enough knowledge to pursue his dreams. Now, after so many years of hard work, he found himself crossing the threshold into the path he had longed to follow for so long.
Even though his parents, or more likely his father, hadn’t approved of his choice and cut off his financial support, leaving him to fend for himself, Xie Lian remained stubbornly devoted to making his dreams a reality. He had always possessed a strong-willed nature, something his father was well aware of, yet he still acted surprised when Xie Lian opted for a literature course instead of choosing law, as his father had hoped.
Even after his father’s threats, Xie Lian remained valiant.
Xie Lian was raised in a life of comfort and abundance, but he didn’t mind the idea of living more modestly. He didn’t want to complain, since others faced far greater hardships. Xie Lian was prepared to manage with the money from his scholarship and a part-time job on weekends, should the need arise.
The man with an intimidating aura emerged at the center of the podium, casting his gaze upon the new faces gathered before him. With two sharp claps, he captivated the attention of every student in the room. Even Xie Lian’s breath hitched when his eyes beheld Jun Wu’s figure, his mind cutting off everything he had been thinking about a moment ago.
The man wore a white suit ― likely two times more expensive than the room Xie Lian rented in the suburbs ― smiling encouragingly at those before him. After ensuring everyone’s attention was fixed on him, he spoke in a calm, deliberate tone that resonated throughout the hall, so even those in the back could hear him clearly.
“Welcome, everyone,” he began, bowing his head slightly. “My name is Jun Wu, and we will see each other’s faces once per week for this term, to some reluctance,” he added with a soft laugh, his smile brightening the room. “As you know, this is a China history course, and given the time the university authorities gave us, I will mostly focus on the early years, the events from a few thousand of years ago.”
Jun Wu took a sip from the bottle of water resting on the desk, then turned again to face his students properly. Pacing back and forth on the podium, he continued, “Even though our class is a lecture, I encourage discussion for those brave enough to speak up. If you have something to say, please raise your hand first, and then I will give you the opportunity to speak aloud.”
The man paused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “As for the syllabus, I won’t dwell on it much. If anyone is interested, I can provide a copy or you can access it on the university website.” Jun Wu clasped his hands. “Shall we begin?”
Encouraged by the students’ nods, he continued in a vibrant tone, capturing the interest of everyone in the hall. “As you know, there isn’t much evidence for the first empire ruling in China,” Jun Wu admitted bashfully. “Just oral accounts and some scrolls stored in the vaults of another empire. However, we have enough monuments and evidence to confidently admit that the Xian Le Kingdom did exist many thousands of years ago.”
Jun Wu resumed pacing on the podium, unable to remain still. “Although it vanished from the maps as swiftly as it appeared, the kingdom fell victim to civil war and spreading disease.” His smile faltered into a frown. “The Kingdom had its Crown Prince, a radiant figure beloved by his people.”
Something occurred to Jun Wu, causing him to trail off as he moved over to the desks to click something on his computer. Before the eyes of all the students, a picture of the Crown Prince of Xian Le appeared on the projector mounted on the wall before them. The young man was dressed in white and red robes, holding a sword in his right hand and a delicate white flower in the other. Xie Lian couldn’t help but notice the intimidating aura emanating from the image of the Crown Prince, his gaze fixed on the projected picture.
Not only did Xie Lian feel that way, but someone beside him also gasped quietly.
Jun Wu continued, pointing at the picture above his head. “Regrettably, even though his people loved him, his life ended at their hands during one of the military conflicts within Xian Le’s borders, killed by one of his own soldiers,” Jun Wu shook his head miserably. “People say it was the Crown Prince’s fault for his kingdom’s downfall, blaming him for spreading disease among his people. As you know, among the pure-blood citizens of Xian Le, there were also people from the neighboring kingdom of Yong’an. Due to prevailing drought there, many from Yong’an resettled to Xian Le.”
Jun Wu switched to another slide, displaying a map with the boundaries of the two kingdoms. “People in Xian Le were dissatisfied, blaming Yong’an people for the growing problems in Xian Le, including robberies and issues with food and accommodation. There is ample evidence confirming the complicity of the Crown Prince of Xian Le in committing the massacre, which began with the spread of the disease known as ‘Human Face Disease’.”
It seems unfair, Xie Lian thought. To blame the Crown Prince for everything that happened to the Xian Le Kingdom. There were so many factors that contributed to its fall…
Xie Lian snapped out from his inner thoughts at the sudden silence in the lecture hall. Squinting his eyes, Xie Lian tried to get a better look at Jun Wu’s face; to his surprise, the man’s gaze was fixed somewhere at the back of the hall, on the opposite side from where Xie Lian was seated. Xie Lian’s eyes followed, and they widened upon realizing a raised hand among the many students.
Jun Wu smiled, folding his hands behind his back. His tone, a blend of surprise and confidence, was evident as he spoke, “Yes, young man? I wasn’t expecting to spark a discussion so quickly, but it’s a positive surprise. You can speak.”
The youth stood up, exuding an aura as intimidating as Jun Wu’s, yet with a different edge. More assertive, Xie Lian thought. He wasn’t seated far from Xie Lian, allowing him to discern his appearance; the young man was tall and striking, dressed in black and red, definitely standing out from others. His long black hair flowed freely, adding to his rebellious demeanor. And he wore an eyepatch, Xie Lian realized, covering his right eye.
When the youth spoke, his voice was as intimidating as his presence. Deep and commanding, leaving no space for further discussion, exuding confidence and pride. What a persona, Xie Lian thought in awe.
“I would not agree with blaming the Crown Prince for everything that happened,” the youth declared.
“Wow,” Xie Lian admitted under his breath, widening his eyes. Someone shares my opinion, he thought.
Jun Wu hummed in surprise. “Oh? Will you elaborate on your thoughts?”
The youth sneered, though Jun Wu likely didn’t notice given the distance. “The Xian Le Kingdom showed promise with its vast territory, even discovering gold deposits along the way. The emperor ruled with a firm hand but wasn't a tyrant. People adored him and willingly followed his commands without complaint. But Yong’an? It was the complete opposite. Its ruler led it to destruction with nonsensical commands. It seems strange that within Xian Le, the Human Face Disease began to spread, especially with the highly developed health care system.”
“What’s your point?” Jun Wu asked once the youth fell silent.
“That it’s foolish to blame the Crown Prince,” he admitted, his voice teetering on the edge of anger and powerlessness.
Xie Lian’s heart skipped a beat, his lips parting slightly as his eyes remained fixed on the youth, unable to blink. Not only did the youth have the courage to disagree with Jun Wu, someone reputable in the history department circle, but he also defended the Crown Prince.
Xie Lian felt a tear gathering in the corner of his eye. When he had first learned about the Crown Prince in primary school, it immediately seemed strange to him to blame the Crown Prince for everything. What could someone do in the face of a contagious disease? Why did everyone think it was the Crown Prince’s fault?
Because it was the easiest way to assign blame to someone?
“And what evidence do you have to prove your words?” Jun Wu asked, noticeably intrigued and drawn into discussion with his student.
“Me?” the youth asked nonchalantly, shrugging. “I don’t have any. But there are many historians still working on it, trying to gather enough proof to clear the Crown Prince’s name. I’m just trying to show people here that there’s still a second path, not necessarily the one you are trying to speak about, sir,” the youth concluded and sat down, leaving everyone present speechless.
Jun Wu smiled again and returned to the lecture, though Xie Lian felt that the man was slightly thrown off balance. Did Jun Wu not like when someone disagreed with him?
During the rest of the lecture, Xie Lian’s gaze involuntarily shifted to the youth, but for the most part, his face was hidden behind other students, making Xie Lian unable to catch another glimpse of him.
If Xie Lian felt dissatisfied, he buried the feeling deep in his heart, attempting to focus on Jun Wu’s words.
Once the lecture was over, Xie Lian stood up abruptly, a sudden urge to talk to the youth blossoming inside him. He descended the stairs quickly, mindful not to bump into anyone, and waited near the door for the youth to appear.
When Xie Lian noticed the youth’s face among the others, his heart quickened once again. He opened his mouth to speak, but no sounds emerged, a sudden and strange feeling filling his body, warmth spreading over his cheeks as he gazed at the youth’s face from such a close distance.
Xie Lian found himself unable to utter a word, mesmerized by the youth’s beauty.
All the courage Xie Lian had gathered within dispersed in that moment.
His hands reached for his heart, clutching the soft fabric of his white pullover, his eyes following the youth as he left the lecture hall, never once glancing in Xie Lian’s direction.
What was this unfamiliar feeling stirring inside Xie Lian?