Crossdress Ch101

Xu Yan stiffened, panicking. “What are you talking about? I—I’m not different… I’m just shy. I always change clothes in private. Of course, I’d be embarrassed if you openly say you want to look…”

Wen Sinian remained calm, letting him explain, but he didn’t withdraw the hand resting on Xu Yan’s pants. When Xu Yan finished speaking, Wen Sinian waved his hand, extinguishing the candle in the room. The surroundings instantly plunged into darkness. Xu Yan blinked in confusion, and the next moment, he felt a chill on his legs. Wen Sinian had lifted him by the legs and carried him to the edge of the couch, pressing down on him as he whispered, “Is this alright now?”

Xu Yan: “…” Though only the cold moonlight filtered into the room, making it hard to see clearly, he worried that Wen Sinian might suddenly break his word and actually touch him. “No, no,” Xu Yan pressed down on Wen Sinian’s hand, his eyes darting around. “We—we just got together. This kind of thing should wait until after we’re married. Besides, it’s… dirty. There’s really nothing good to see…” His voice grew softer as he spoke, watching the shadow in front of him slowly lean closer. A gentle, warm sensation brushed his leg, disappearing in an instant like a dragonfly skimming water.

Xu Yan was stunned, hearing a low, coaxing voice slowly drift into his ear. “It’s not dirty. It looks very nice.” He said it with such certainty, as if he had already seen it before.

Xu Yan’s face flushed crimson, his entire body stiffening as if paralyzed. The warm breath climbed upward. He felt he should continue to resist, but his limbs seemed bound by invisible restraints, unable to move. His heart pounded like a drum, and he began to worry if his heartbeat could be heard…

At that moment, there was an untimely knock at the door—three knocks, a pause, then two more, followed by silence, like some kind of secret code. Xu Yan held his breath and looked toward the door. He heard a faint sigh in the darkness, and then he was pulled up from the bed, his undergarments and outer robe properly put back on. Before he could figure out what was happening, Wen Sinian had already gotten up from the couch.

“You… aren’t going to look anymore?” Xu Yan asked, confused.

Wen Sinian chuckled and ruffled Xu Yan’s slightly messy hair. “I’ll save it for our wedding night.”

Xu Yan mumbled softly, “How can we possibly get married? I was just talking nonsense.” Not to mention their statuses, but they were both men—there was no such thing as men getting married anywhere in the world.

Wen Sinian didn’t seem to mind. He pulled over a cloud-patterned quilt and covered Xu Yan. “You’ll stay here tonight. No one will disturb you. It’s fine if you go back tomorrow evening.”

Xu Yan obediently nodded. “What about you?”

Wen Sinian replied, “I have some matters to attend to. I won’t be able to come see you for a few days.”

Xu Yan understood. “Alright, then be careful.”

Wen Sinian leaned down. “So eager to see me leave?” Being stared at like this, Xu Yan felt his face heating up again. He turned his eyes away and softly said, “No.”

Wen Sinian reached out to touch his cheek. Before parting, he already felt reluctant. “Can I have one more kiss before I go?”

Xu Yan turned his face toward him, still wondering if Wen Sinian meant a kiss on the cheek or the lips. The next moment, his lips were already captured in a passionate kiss. Xu Yan thought dizzily, So it’s a kiss on the lips. It didn’t last long. Wen Sinian seemed to be in a hurry to leave. Just as he reached the door, he turned back, took off a jade pendant from his waist, and placed it in Xu Yan’s hand.

Xu Yan couldn’t see clearly, but he felt the jade pendant was warm all over, as if heated by body temperature. He clutched it tightly, as if holding a handful of water. “What is this?”

Wen Sinian smiled. “A betrothal gift.”

***

True to his word, Wen Sinian didn’t appear for several days, and neither did the crown prince. Rumor had it that the crown prince’s selection of a consort was nearly finalized. At first, the palace servants whispered among themselves, some said it was the chancellor’s daughter, others said it was the general’s sister, and still others claimed it was a princess from another kingdom. But Xu Yan was the only one in the entire palace who wasn’t the least bit curious about the matter.

The jade pendant Wen Sinian had given him—Xu Yan didn’t know what to do with it. He thought that the next time he saw Wen Sinian, he would definitely return it and make it clear to him that they were impossible. As for the jade pendant, he temporarily hung it at his own waist.

The first to notice something amiss was the steward. With over thirty years of service in the palace, his eyes were sharp. When he saw the jingling ornament at Xu Yan’s waist—exceptionally exquisite, identical to the crown prince’s personal belongings—the steward was terrified. He hurriedly called Xu Yan over to ask where the jade pendant had come from.

Xu Yan didn’t think a jade pendant given by a guard was anything extraordinary. He told the truth: “Someone… gave it to me.” Then he added, “I didn’t steal it.”

The steward looked ashamed and switched to a more ingratiating tone. “Of course, of course. The person who gave you this… are you very close to them?”

Xu Yan replied, “I suppose so.” If he told the steward this was a betrothal gift for their upcoming marriage, the steward might faint on the spot.

“Then you must keep it safe. It’s very precious. Don’t lose it.”

Xu Yan held the jade pendant and nodded, “Naturally.” “By the way, there will be a banquet in the palace in a few days,” the steward said with a smile. “You should come along.”

Soon, the day of the palace banquet arrived. The feast was set in the grand hall of the palace, with all officials attending with their families. On such an occasion, the Crown Prince was certain to return to the palace for the banquet. Xu Yan had originally been assigned to attend to the Crown Prince, but just before the banquet began, he suddenly vanished without a trace. The steward was frantic—if anything happened to Xu Yan, his own head would be on the line.

 While the Crown Prince had yet to return, he hastily ordered a search throughout the Eastern Palace. However, with the palace gates wide open and people coming and going, it was possible that assassins had slipped in unnoticed. 

The search yielded nothing, and the banquet in the main hall had already begun. The steward, pale as ash, nervously returned to the hall to report.

Gilded palace lanterns lined the entrance, flickering on and off. Inside, candlelight danced, and the officials, dressed in brocade court robes, raised their cups amid the fragrant aroma of wine. 

The sound of clinking jade cups filled the air. The steward approached the seat at the foot of the white jade steps. Behind the green jade table sat a lone figure in a dark robe embroidered with golden clouds. His phoenix-like eyes were slightly closed, but upon hearing the steward’s report, his expression remained calm, though the jade cup in his fingers cracked slightly. 

The steward watched in terror, knowing this was a sign of the Crown Prince’s impending fury.

The banquet was meant to announce the Crown Prince’s betrothal, so Wen Sinian should have been present. 

Instead, he merely wiped the wine from his palm and stood up. The inquisitive gazes of the entire hall turned toward him, but Wen Sinian, accustomed to absolute authority, strode swiftly out of the hall.

***

On his way to the main hall, Xu Yan was abducted by several assassins dressed in nightclothes. Their target was a secret edict hidden in the Crown Prince’s inner chamber. They knew Xu Yan was the Crown Prince’s personal attendant but never expected him to be utterly clueless. 

Frustrated, they bound him and left him in a secluded palace near the hot springs, where no one would find him. 

Fearful they might kill him if they discovered his uselessness, Xu Yan stammered out a fake location for the edict. 

The assassins prepared to sneak into the Eastern Palace during the chaos, leaving two men to guard Xu Yan.

As night deepened, Xu Yan, familiar with the palace, slowly inched toward a corner while the two guards discussed their plans. 

His slender frame allowed him to squeeze into the narrow gap between a bed and a cabinet. His breathing was shallow, and in the darkness, he was nearly impossible to find. The assassins, realizing he was gone, panicked and drew their knives.

“Light a fire first—he must still be in here. He can’t escape!” 

“I didn’t bring any fire. Did you?” 

“Weren’t you supposed to bring it? How else are we going to light the candles?”

 “Forget it, just shut up and search. We can’t let him get away, kill him if we have to!”

Xu Yan listened to their conversation and pulled his legs further into hiding. In the darkness, he could only hear the sharp blades striking the table, screen, and gilded incense burner. Sooner or later, they would search near the bed. 

He clutched the warm jade pendant at his waist. If the Crown Prince had returned to the palace, he might come here too. The Crown Prince often appeared out of nowhere, would he arrive in time this time?

As his mind grew foggy, Xu Yan realized the assassins had lit some kind of incense. Though he wasn’t sleepy, his eyelids grew heavy. Just as he was about to lose consciousness, he heard a loud crash at the palace door, followed by the assassins begging for mercy and the sound of blades piercing flesh. 

Many voices called out, “Your Highness.” There was only one “Your Highness” in the palace—the Crown Prince.

Xu Yan, still groggy, remembered he should bow to the Crown Prince. After all, the Crown Prince had saved his life, making him his savior. 

A faint sound came from the bed, and a slender figure slowly emerged from the narrow gap. Xu Yan tried to stand but felt a wave of dizziness. 

He called out softly, “Your Highness,” before collapsing backward.

The expected pain never came. Instead, he was caught in a familiar, warm embrace.

 A candle was lit beside them, its flame illuminating a face just inches away, sharp brows, dark phoenix eyes, and a gaze as deep as an abyss.

 Xu Yan barely opened his eyes, seeing the concern on Wen Sinian’s face as the guards and servants around them addressed him as “Your Highness.” Then, Xu Yan lost consciousness entirely.

***

The incense posed no serious harm—at most, it would make someone sleep for a day or two. Yet the person lying on the Crown Prince’s golden silk bed showed no signs of waking. Wen Sinian returned from court without changing his robes and went straight to the inner chamber. 

The steward told him the imperial physicians had already examined Xu Yan four times and found nothing wrong, but he still hadn’t woken. 

Sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating Xu Yan’s fair, rosy face. He looked lively, nothing like someone in a deep slumber.

Wen Sinian took Xu Yan’s hand, squeezing it gently. He noticed the long, dense lashes tremble slightly, and the soft, white fingers grew warm under his touch.

Wen Sinian let out a soft laugh and instructed the person beside him, “You may leave.” The steward took a few steps out, seemingly anxious, then turned back and said, “Your Highness, shouldn’t your wound be dressed—” 

Before he could finish, Wen Sinian cast him a cold, indifferent glance, and the steward immediately fell silent, closing the door behind him as he left. The chamber fell quiet once more.

Xu Yan’s hand was still held in Wen Sinian’s palm. He didn’t dare move, hoping Wen Sinian would soon tire of playing with his hand and let go. Instead, his hand was released, but he was pulled into a tight embrace. 

Then, his outer robe was gently lifted, removed, and tossed aside. Xu Yan stiffened. Was the Crown Prince going to continue what he had started that night?

 If Wen Sinian discovered his false identity as a eunuch, pretending to be asleep wouldn’t save him. When those skilled hands reached for his undergarments, Xu Yan could no longer endure it. He pressed his hands against Wen Sinian’s and whispered in alarm, “Your Highness…”

Wen Sinian paused, turning Xu Yan to face him. His eyes were wide and moist at the corners, looking pitiful and innocent. Wen Sinian gently rubbed the corner of his eye. “You’re awake.”

Xu Yan lowered his gaze guiltily. “I just… woke up.”

Wen Sinian: “Your clothes are dirty. Take them off and change into something clean.”

Xu Yan looked down and quickly said, “I can do it myself.” Realizing it was improper to remain lying there, he nimbly tried to get up, but an arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him back into the broad embrace.

Wen Sinian looked at him calmly. “Didn’t you say such things should wait until after the wedding?”

Xu Yan looked up in shock. Though it seemed like he had deliberately fallen into the Crown Prince’s arms, he swore it wasn’t intentional. 

“Your Highness…” He edged backward, whispering, “About what happened before… Could you, could you pretend it never happened? The talk of marriage was nonsense—I didn’t mean it. Please don’t take it to heart, all right?”

Wen Sinian’s expression darkened abruptly, his gaze dropping to Xu Yan’s waist. “Where is the jade pendant I gave you?”

“Oh, it’s here…” Xu Yan patted his waist, then froze. He searched for a while, his face falling. “I always kept it here, I don’t know when it went missing…”

Wen Sinian: “Do you know how valuable that jade pendant is?”

Xu Yan shook his head. “No…”

Wen Sinian pinched his cheek, kneading the soft flesh, bringing his face closer. His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Xu Yan, then said calmly, “Not even all the treasures in the palace compare to it.”

Xu Yan felt even more like crying. He had lost the Crown Prince’s jade pendant, the very betrothal gift Wen Sinian had given him. “Then… what should I do…?”

Wen Sinian didn’t answer. Xu Yan caught sight of the white bandages on his forearm and recalled the steward’s words about his injury. His eyes flickered as he softly asked, “Your Highness, did you get hurt because of saving me?”

Wen Sinian didn’t respond, but Xu Yan’s quick mind pieced it together—it must have been for him. If the Crown Prince didn’t want him dead, his life was safe. Xu Yan nestled his cheek against Wen Sinian’s fingers. “Let me dress your wound first. The blood is seeping through. May I?”

Wen Sinian rubbed his cheek with his thumb. “Mm.”

Medicine and bandages were placed beside the bed. Xu Yan was about to put his dirty robe back on when Wen Sinian said, “Wear the one beside you.” Indeed, a fresh set of robes lay there, finer than what he usually wore. Xu Yan obediently put them on. Clothes make the man, and Wen Sinian’s gaze remained fixed on him the entire time.

Under that intense stare, Xu Yan carefully redressed Wen Sinian’s wound. Seeing the long, bloodstained scar, he felt a phantom pain in his own arm and handled it even more gently. After finishing, he wondered how to excuse himself, but Wen Sinian patted the bed beside him. Xu Yan sat down obediently.

Wen Sinian turned his head slightly. “Closer.”

Xu Yan shifted his hips slightly. “Closer still.”

Xu Yan had no choice but to move again. Warmth pressed against his side, and heavy breaths buried into his neck as he was almost entirely enveloped in Wen Sinian’s arms. He didn’t dare struggle, afraid of hurting Wen Sinian’s wound, but his neck itched unbearably. He also had to guard against being bitten again, so he remained tense.

Wen Sinian made no further moves, simply leaning against him, breathing deeply in and out. Only when he felt Xu Yan safe in his arms did the panic of nearly losing him ease slightly.

“I didn’t mean to hide it from you,” Wen Sinian’s low voice murmured against his neck. “I like you too much. I was afraid that if you knew the truth, you’d avoid me like this, so I never dared tell you. The more I hid, the more I feared losing you.”

Xu Yan didn’t understand how someone as powerful as the Crown Prince could feel such anxiety, but his heart softened. Wen Sinian sensed the change and continued, “That jade pendant is very important to me. It was a keepsake from my late mother. I had always planned to give it to my future wife, so… I gave it to you.”

At the mention of the jade pendant, Xu Yan felt a pang of guilt. Now that he knew it was a keepsake from Wen Sinian’s late mother, he felt even worse for losing it. “I’m sorry…”

“It’s all right,” Wen Sinian gently took his hand. “Fortunately, you’ve already agreed to marry me.”

Xu Yan turned to look at him, his face filled with shock. “We… are still getting married?”

A hint of sadness flickered in Wen Sinian’s eyes. “What? You don’t want to be my Crown Princess?”

Xu Yan stammered, almost tripping over his words. “No, it’s not that—I didn’t mean it like that… But I am… you know, that…”

Wen Sinian didn’t seem to mind. “I know you’re incomplete, and I’ve already said I don’t care.”

Xu Yan was at a loss for words, wanting to confess but not daring to. Wen Sinian, seeing his hesitant and troubled expression, asked, “You still don’t want to? Are you worried about the future?”

Xu Yan looked at him with tear-filled eyes, pitiful and helpless. Wen Sinian gently pinched his chin, pulling him closer, and kissed his lips. “Rest assured, from now on, you’ll be the only one for me,” he murmured in a low, irresistible voice. “After becoming the Crown Princess, you’ll be the Empress above all—how does that sound?”

Xu Yan swore he wasn’t someone who craved wealth and power, but he might have been dazzled by the sweet talk. At this point, he had no idea how he would ever leave the palace by the age of thirty. Would a group of armed guards chase after him, demanding he return the title of Crown Princess?

Somehow, with Wen Sinian’s influence, an imperial decree was issued, and the joyous day of the Eastern Palace arrived quickly. 

Xu Yan was roused before dawn to be dressed and adorned. Though he didn’t wear a phoenix crown or ceremonial robes, his wedding attire was meticulously crafted by the finest tailors, layer upon layer, taking a long time just to put on. 

Once dressed, his hair had to be redone. Xu Yan kept his eyes half-closed throughout, letting the dozen palace maids fuss over him. Finally, like a colorful butterfly, he was led out of the chamber, covered with a red veil, and guided into a sedan chair.

The ceremonies dragged on for what felt like forever. By the time Xu Yan finally sat on the bed adorned with embroidered mandarin duck quilts, he was exhausted and just wanted to collapse and sleep. 

The red candles burned brightly, casting a festive glow over the room, but Xu Yan’s vision was mostly obscured by the red veil on his head.

 After waiting for a while with no sign of anyone coming, he lifted the veil himself and found some pastries on the table to quiet his growling stomach. They were the same honey-sweet cakes he had eaten before, leaving his mouth deliciously sweet.

Earlier, Wen Sinian had told him not to worry about formalities tonight and to rest if he was tired. Xu Yan took this to heart. After eating his fill, he returned to the bed, planning to sleep while waiting for Wen Sinian’s return. 

He noticed two neatly folded sets of clothing placed beside the bed—likely nightwear for them to sleep in. The heavy wedding robes had been suffocating him all day, so he stripped them off layer by layer until he was completely bare. 

He picked up the smaller set of nightclothes and, after some thought, put them on.

The fabric was exquisite, a vibrant red with intricate, delicate peony embroidery that seemed to bloom from the silk. Only after putting it on did Xu Yan realize something was off. Why did this nightwear seem like it was made for a woman? 

The waist was cinched extremely tight, and the hem split open from the sides, with no pants included. He searched for a while but couldn’t find anything to wear underneath. His legs swung bare beneath the silk. 

Just as he was considering changing back into his wedding robes, he heard the chamber door being pushed open from outside.

Xu Yan panicked. He wasn’t in the habit of running around naked, so he quickly rolled onto the bed and wrapped himself from head to toe in the quilt, leaving only his small face exposed. Wen Sinian carried a faint scent of alcohol—his attendants had been unusually bold today, urging him to drink more than usual.

 He had found an excuse to return early, but as he pushed the door open, he caught a glimpse of pale skin amid the crimson.

Xu Yan didn’t understand the unusual look in Wen Sinian’s eyes. “You’re back. I was hungry, so I ate some pastries,” he said.

Wen Sinian walked toward the bed, untying his sash as he went. “It’s fine.”

Xu Yan saw that he had already removed his outer wedding robe and seemed intent on removing more. He quickly averted his eyes. “I’ve already changed into my nightclothes. Yours is over there. You should put it on too. We’re both exhausted—let’s rest early…”

Before he could finish, a hand reached under the quilt, firmly grasping his slender ankle and gently pulling him out. Xu Yan watched helplessly as his carefully constructed cocoon was dismantled. He sprawled out, dragged to the edge of the bed. Long fingers wrapped around his ankle, spreading his legs apart.

“Mm…” Xu Yan let out a muffled groan, staring up at the ornate canopy, realizing he was completely exposed. “Wait… wait!” He frantically covered himself, not sure what he was trying to hide. “No, no…” He was utterly flustered, kicking his legs wildly. He didn’t know where he was kicking—everywhere felt like it was on fire.

He had been holding onto the hope that if Wen Sinian was too tired tonight and didn’t want to consummate the marriage, he could keep his secret for one more day. 

But it seemed Wen Sinian had been eagerly awaiting this night for a long time. He couldn’t wait any longer. Xu Yan’s slender figure was perfectly outlined by the bridal nightwear, tailored precisely to his measurements. 

His delicate, slender waist, cinched by the golden silk belt, looked even more alluring, and his pale legs, half-hidden between the red quilt and red clothes, seemed to glow with an innocent radiance in the candlelight. Hidden within all this was the secret Xu Yan had been desperate to keep.

Overpowered, Xu Yan seized the opportunity when Wen Sinian paused and quickly pulled the nearby quilt over his face, burying himself completely. His muffled voice, filled with grievance, came from beneath the quilt. “I told you not to look, but you insisted… I wanted to tell you, but I was afraid you’d be angry, so I never dared…” 

Xu Yan stammered, “I really didn’t mean to… I know I committed the crime of deceiving the Crown Prince, but I was young then—I truly didn’t understand…”

As he spoke, he felt the quilt being lifted from his face. A pair of dark, profound eyes were inches away. “You still claim it wasn’t intentional?” Wen Sinian lowered his hands, seeing Xu Yan’s eyes redden instantly. 

He leaned down and kissed him. “Who in this palace would dare be as bold as you? Disguising yourself as a false eunuch and seducing the Crown Prince, being charged with deceiving the ruler isn’t enough for you.”

Xu Yan bit his lip tightly. The bridal nightgown had been torn loose, barely clinging to his fair chest. All he could manage were a few choked sobs. He raised his hands to cling to the back of Wen Sinian’s neck, trembling as he kissed his chin.

 “I—I’m your Crown Princess now. You told me yourself—we share glory and ruin together…” He wasn’t good at making threats; he had learned those words from Wen Sinian.

Instead of getting angry, Wen Sinian seemed to accept his physical condition all too well, unable to keep his hands off him. “Mm, glory and ruin together,” Wen Sinian murmured, kissing his lips again. “So from now on, you must stay by my side and never think of leaving again.”

Xu Yan didn’t know how Wen Sinian had seen through his schemes, but he could only nestle in his arms and nod, mumbling indistinctly, “Won’t leave… won’t leave…”

Satisfied, Wen Sinian leaned down. The bed curtains fell, concealing the intimate scene within.

**

Xu Yan truly became the master of the Eastern Palace. The Crown Prince doted on him endlessly, and later, rumors spread throughout the palace about how they met—how the Crown Prince had gone to great lengths to marry him, and the tale gradually became a beautiful legend. 

 

The jade pendant was eventually found by Xu Yan. It had never been lost; one morning, he woke up to find it in the drawer of his desk, though he clearly remembered searching for it many times before without success.

Before long, Xu Yan achieved his wish to leave the palace. Wen Sinian, fearing he would grow restless within the palace walls, arranged for him to live in a mansion outside the palace. Xu Yan’s lifelong dream had finally come true. 

Wen Sinian bought him vast tracts of land in the remote countryside, all under his name. If Xu Yan wanted to inspect the land, Wen Sinian would take him there. If he wanted to stay in the countryside for a few days, that was fine too.

On an ordinary morning, Xu Yan heard the crowing of roosters in the courtyard. He pushed open the window by the bed. 

The distant green mountains were shrouded in a fine mist, and wisps of smoke curled up from the foot of the mountains, peaceful and serene. As far as the eye could see, it was all his fertile land. 

A warm chest pressed against his back, and a hand turned his face. Wen Sinian leaned down and kissed him tenderly. Xu Yan, kissed into blissful comfort, snuggled into Wen Sinian’s arms, humming contentedly. Being the Crown Princess didn’t seem so bad after all, he thought. Might as well keep at it.

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