Chapter Text
It should have been a one time thing.
Really! No more and no less than a purge of his King's urges, no matter if Shang Qinghua actually liked it. It wasn't for him in the first place! His king just had been considerate enough to take him in consideration!
He was his King's servant, and if his King needed some– ah, to say, distraction, who was he to say no? If his King wanted to bed someone, Shang Qinghua could not say anything against it, he was just a servant and Mobei-jun was his King.
What could he say to him? He certainly could not let his unnecessary feeling on the matter ruin his relationship with him! After he came back, his King had even stopped beating him up! Now, harsh treatment left space for soft things.
Cold rooms left space for furs and fireplace always lit.
His King was kind and merciful enough to even pat him on the head, he made him noodles!
(Shang Qinghua was not going to discuss the texture and flavor of those noodles, he appreciated the gesture. Even if he still shivered at the thought of those goddamn noodles!)
So, Shang Qinghua knew better than to let his feelings compromise his position. After all, he should have died a long time ago, by the hand of his King nonetheless. Instead he led a good life, if you ignore the years where Mobei-jun acted spoiled and ungrateful. But still!
This all to say, that if Mobei-jun wanted to bed someone, Shang Qinghua could only nod and force a smile, feigning happiness for his King that was finally thinking of taking a consort or a concubine.
And of course, with that body of his and the power he had, he honestly could bring anyone to warm his bed! No convincing needed. Every demon, male and female, would be more than happy to get on the good side of a demon Lord such as him. Better warming his bed than bleeding on his sword!
Humans too, probably, but Shang Qinghua preferred to not think about it. Since if that was the case, and his king did actually find humans alluring, it meant that he could have a chance, just didn't have it because of his ugly form or his cowardly indole.
And maybe Shang Qinghua did not notice immediately when his King started to linger in other people's company, but he did notice in the end.
It all started a few months ago, when Shang Qinghua first saw a demon leave his King's chambers. Well, not his bed chambers, but the rooms where the demon came from were connected to the rooms where his King slept! He had a proud expression on his face, but he seemed to walk around with a bit of fatigue.
This was… incredibly suspicious. So, seeing that he was just going into the same room from this demon came, they ran into each other very quickly.
The demon almost stopped in his tracks, and he immediately smiled worriedly. "Ah… advisor Shang… ha!– you see, I was just leaving!"
Yep. He was sweating.
Shang Qinghua frowned, if the demon was one he was scared of, he would have merely runned into his King's bedchambers, but this one was almost of his same stature. So he had enough courage to call him out on his suspicious attitude. "And… what exactly were you doing in our King's chambers?" He asked, scratching his head.
The demon took a step backwards, like he wasn't supposed to say anything on the matter. Shang Qinghua was starting to get a bit worried, if it was something dangerous his king could fight it without his help, but it did not mean he could not get hurt.
And Shang Qinghua hated when that happened.
He eyed the demon, and took a step forward.
The demon turned back to him, and raised his hands in the air, almost to placate Shang Qinqhua. "Consort– ahem, advisor Shang need not to worry! This lowly one was merely running some errands for his Lord!" And after that, the demon runned off without giving Shang Qinghua the space to ask more.
That night, Shang Qinghua worked for his king in his bed chambers. Like he did for some time now! While he worked through the scrolls, his King would usually watch him from the bed.
Shang Qinghua was not sure why this arrangement came to be, or what kind of entertainment his King was getting from watching him concentrate on scrolls and written correspondence. The only kind of demon entertainment he was getting was looking attentively at his brows pinched together in a frown when some arrangements were too complicated to arrange. But he– but he enjoyed every moment. What his King could give him, he would take. What he was amenable to concede, Shang Qinghua would gladly cherish.
If his King liked seeing his servant at work, he would oblige! He loved hearing his King's opinion on his trades, they laughed often at badly written correspondence and more often than not they would huff and plot together.
He liked his King. Really, really liked his King.
If only he wasn't a human. Not only that, but a human who was not that good on the eye, and one who was so fragile. He knew his King wouldn't even consider the thought of giving him something more than the companionship the two had now, but he still found himself enjoying his presence.
He found himself wanting more.
Ahem–
So! While he was writing a response for the four eyed spider demon clan, he found the courage to ask what happened before he entered the rooms.
When the other demon left.
Because, of course, Shang Qinghua would recognize immediately that his King was tense. Shoulders a bit higher than normal, frown darkening his features.
"My King– before, when the demon…" He lingered with a finger to his lips.
Since his King was not hurt by some futile attempt on his life by that lowly demon, he could not see why his King would seek someone out at that hour.
In his chambers.
"Mh?" His King hummed, clearly too assorted in his thought. Ah. Shang Qinghua knew he was boring, but his King did not lose himself to other thoughts when they were together that often!
"Before. What?" He asked, sulked. Ah, must have been a long day? His king seemed almost– worried. But Shang Qinghua shook his head, worried about what? No, it could not be. He was probably confused as to why a servant would care to ask something out of his chores.
But Shang Qinghua rarely got considered a mere servant anymore. Right? He was an advisor now, so his King would trust him with something important, right?
But he was clearly thinking too much, when Mobei-jun clenched his first and for the first time of the night, turned away from him. "None of your business." He muttered, and neither of them talked about it again.
But the thing was– well, the thing was that his King had other visitors through the months that came after that, and many of them visited him late at night.
It was strange to think his King had that many lovers, so Shang Qinghua did as he was told, and did not think much of those visits. Maybe his king was dealing with some kind of Demon arrangements! And he did not need a human opinion on it!
But he knew well that he only rushed those thoughts out of his head because his King did not seem to want to talk about it. Everytime he asked something about it, Mobei-jun responded with such an angry and tired tone!
Okay, okay, this lowly one understands! He must not ask of his King's lovers!
Shang Qinghua knew the kind of passion Demons were capable of, well, he wrote it!
They oftentimes need to get out– things out of their system. Sex was a good way out for that!
But what he did not expect was that his King would change lovers so often.
He did not have one that would come every night, instead many of them only came once or twice, and after that they did not dare coming close to Mobei-jun's rooms.
Also, his King did not acknowledge any of them as his lovers in public, and this really changed Shang Qinghua's vision on demonic relationships. Was it that normal? Not taking any responsibility? Humans in this strange version of his webnovel were a bit more proper than the modern day people.
So they married and took responsibility often, it just worked that way!
So, he was not sure if his King was searching only for concubines, and a part of him hoped his King would prefer to rule alone. The part of him that was selfish. He did not want to deal with the consort Mobei-jun would choose one day.
Nonetheless, their routine continued as always, but when Shang Qinghua headed for his King's rooms, sometimes he would encounter these demons leaving.
And it hurt. Also, Shang Qinghua's work resented from this knowledge. He was slower, much more tired, and left so many holes in his plans.
Yes, he knew that he had no chance with his King, of course. But it was different from seeing his lovers leaving his rooms every night and still having to work and talk to him like nothing happened.
Writing, plotting and more, became so difficult in the last few weeks. He could just not sleep! The image of his King lying with someone… ugh!
But the worse moment was when in the Northern palace a rumor began circulating in particular.
All the palace was whispering about a supposed human lover, and Shang Qinghua had enough!
He knew his King had not taken a human lover yet, because he was aware of his lovers' heritage, and none of them, of those who he saw, were human.
But it hurt hearing the possibility.
Was Mobei-jun so cruel? Did he not know that Shang Qinghua would gladly take this supposedly human lover's place? If only he asked, Shang Qinghua would have accepted being his King's experiment with humans! Even one night was enough, as it apparently went with all his lovers.
Still, no trace of human lovers. Until, of course, Shang Qinghua saw him.
It was very late that night. And honestly Shang Qinghuadid not want to go work with his king, only because he hated seeing his King's lovers leaving from his rooms. But it was one of the few moments where his King was truly comfortable with him. Lounging in the bed, half covered, half not. It was shameless, but he did not want to ruin one of the few moments of intimacy his Mobei-jun conceded him.
A human, very timidly, left from the direction of his King's rooms. He had his arms around his body, hugging himself.
Shang Qinghua did not even ask who he was. Very few humans worked in the palace, and he knew most of the workers and servants. But this one he did not even remember! Probably worked in the kitchens by the looks of it, since he was wearing an apron!
Was his King really that desperate? If he wanted to experience a night with a human and not with a demon for once, had he to fuck a kitchen servant? Wasn't he the one who refused to lower himself even to thank Shang Qinqhua? And now he was lowering himself enough to fuck a human, who was just a simple servant?
At least Shang Qinghua was a friend, sort of, right?
He must have stooped in his tracks, and the other human must have been embarrassed to be found leaving his King's rooms. Because they were close now, and the servant was staring at him, confused but anxious.
For what, Shang Qinghua did not know.
"Ah– advisor Shang, it's everything– it's e-everything alright?" He muttered, like he actually worried for a simple advisor with a few tears on his face.
He was pretty enough to be considered for his King's pleasure! He had nothing to worry about! It was Shang Qinghua that was too ugly to warm Mobei-jun's bed.
Shang Qinghua huffed a sigh, and tried very hard to stop crying, but the fact was– he could see it. The human was pretty, a face soft and features dainty.
The demons his King had sex with were sometimes pretty, sometimes handsome, but sometimes they did not appear that good looking. Not that Shang Qinghua would judge his King for his choice in lovers!
But at least with a human, who was much more fragile than a demon and was to be treated softer than one, his King must have chosen one that would be worthy in looks, at least. To be worth all the trouble they were.
He took a deep but hitched breath, and walked away from the confused human.
Barging into his Lord's chambers did not seem a good idea, but at that moment, Shang Qinghua really wanted to ask what he wanted to ask and say what he wanted to say to his King.
He shot the door open, and Mobei-jun was a bit startled. He shot him a look, eyebrows raised.
"Qinghua?" He muttered, and Shang Qinghua came closer, first clenched.
"My King, are you really that desperate?!" He muttered, raising his voice.
Apparently that was the wrong thing to say to his King, who visibly darkened.
Still, he seemed to be trying to control his frustration. He frowned.
"What. What is Qinghua blabbering about?" His King forced out.
"I'm– I'm blabbering? Me?!" He spat out, hands gesturing in the air. But seeing the confusion on Mobei-jun's face, Shang Qinghua almost stopped feeling so angry. He let out a soft sigh. "I'm not blabbering. I'm–!"
Ah. His King did not have anything to ask forgiveness for. They were just a servant and his king, if his King was kind enough for Shang Qinghua to fall for him, it was his problem and his problem alone.
But still…
"Qinghua." His king came closer, and lowered himself a bit to shake his shoulders reassuringly. "Qinghua is crying. Why?" He demanded, and Shang Qinqhua had to huf. You're the reason! He wanted to say, but could not.
He was really crying. Enough for Mobei-jun to notice, how embarrassing. For him to ruin the night with his useless feelings on the matter—!
"My King, if you were– if you were so desperate, enough to seek a human out. You could have just– just asked me." He whispered, turning his face away. He had to say it, it was killing him.
Mobei-jun hands stilled for a long second.
"Shang Qinqhua… Shang Qinghua knew?" His voice faltered for a second.
He sniffed, sighing. "It would be hard not too. You were too obvious, my King." He smiled, feeble and without too much humor.
"...too obvious? Does that mean–" he muttered, but Shang Qinghua distanced himself from his grip.
"Does that mean what?" He let out, breathless.
His King seemed very anxious. For a demon Lord, that is.
"Does that mean Shang Qinghua accepts?" He asks, with such reverence that Shang Qinghua is unsure how to resist confirming without knowing to what exactly.
He takes a pause, and he swears he can see Mobei-jun flinching.
"...Accept what?"
"My proposal." His King states, very quickly.
Ah… Oh!
Was he implying that–! Well-!
He flushed red, and took a step back.
"I– My King wishes to… with– with me?" He gulps.
Mobei-jun eats him out with his eyes. But he whispers softly. "Of course. Who other?"
Ah, many others! But for Shang Qinghua, even if it was one night, it would suffice.
What his King was amenable to give him, he would gladly take.
Shang Qinghua however, doesn't have the force to respond, because he knows himself and his quick mouth. He doesn't want to ruin his King's mood with the reminder of his other lovers.
He also wants this moment for him. Who cares if his King will forget about him after two or three times! It was better than nothing. He just hoped Mobei-jun would be kind enough to concede him some kisses.
He nods, shyly. And immediately Mobei-jun is devouring his lips.
—
That night, Shang Qinghua shared his first time with his King.
And oh, what a night. He remembers his arched back, scratching his King's back at every rough trust. Moaning his name out, and crying at every kiss on his nipples.
If demons made love to each other to get out their frustration, his King was truly comfortable using Shang Qinghua for that!
He remembers only being capable of calling out his King's name, no more than that, and he loved the experience. Thank you very much.
But he expected for his King to just forget it the morning after, he did not expect a special treatment or anything, since he was already the second human lover Mobei-jun took.
He knew he was not that special, even if in the moment, Mobei-jun said so many things to him that made him feel that way.
He fully expected to wake up, quickly cover himself and leave, working like always and hoping his King wasn't going to hate him now that he had seen everything of him.
But when he woke up, Mobei-jun was still… still so close to him. His arms were around the human, enveloping him safely, and his lips were leaving kisses all around his neck.
And immediately, Shang Qinqhua realized that they were cuddling! In his King's bed!
He wiggled at the sudden realization.
But Mobei-jun was still so taken that he just shook his human in his embrace, and murmured.
"Qinghua… has this King not tired you out last night? Stay still…" Voice muffled by sleep, Shang Qinghua felt like it must have been a privilege to hear his king talking like that. Like he trusted Shang Qinghua with this part of him, too.
Sure, it hurt knowing that his King had many others that he shared his love with. But it was true that none were allowed to sleep till the morning in the same bed of his King. That must have meant something, right?
Still, he forgot to answer!
Shit!
He finally melted in the chilly embrace, touch so unfamiliar but so longed for.
"N-no! I mean— yes! This King tired me out!" He mumbled, feeling himself getting warmer.
He could feel his King's cock still inside him.
Ah. Was he really that shameless?
How many times did he come inside him last night?– he literally lost count!
"I'm feeling sore! My King, if you think this servant was not tired out then you're greatly mistaken!" He muttered, raising his eyebrows and crossing his arms.
Mobei-jun only came closer to him, and Shang Qinghua could now feel his breath on his shoulders.
He shivered.
Still, his King had many things to say.
But of course, he first nibbled on his already marked skin.
Shang Qinghua yelped.
"My King!–"
"Mh?" He huffed against the human's skin. "This King is sure that his Qinghua is tired out, but then, why is he moving around at this hour in the morning?" He murmured.
Shang Qinqhua, ah, did not know how to explain without ruining the sweet mood.
"Ah… this servant only wanted to get away quickly, not wanting to disturb his King further–"
His King shot him a cold look. "Disturb? Was what this King did to you last night not enough to prove that— that this King wants you?"
Qinghua felt tears stain his cheeks again, his King wanted him? Even after seeing his ugly and feeble body? "...this servant is so, so happy. His King wants him." He murmurs, smiling, sincerely.
"Of course." His King only moves closed, embracing him tightly.
—
The thing was– the thing was, that it was supposed to be a one time thing.
He knew it was, from the moment he nodded that for some reason his King was proposing him to warm his bed.
He knew it was supposed to be a one time thing.
If he had to, he expected to do it once or twice, until his King found someone else to have.
But he was happily proved wrong. His King wasn't jesting when saying that he wanted him. Everytime Qinghua bent over something and they were alone, his King would– ahem, take him from behind. And Shang Qinghua would react very enthusiasticaly, but he wasn't sure why one time became two, and then three, and then at least one time a day, sometimes more!
They began sleeping together, literally. Shang Qinghua actually moved in his King's bedchambers! Not officially, of course, but he worked and slept there.
His King would take care of him at night, and Shang Qinghua still found himself wanting more.
His King stopped seeing others.
That much was clear, but Shang Qinghua did not have the courage to ask if it was really like that.
There were times where they were separated, of course, and Shang Qinghua was not sure if they were lovers now, he could not presume his King would settle for… someone like him. But he wasn't sure if his King was searching for others when they weren't together either.
But in general, his attention was all for Shang Qinghua, and the human could not feel better.
Until, well– ah. Until he started to feel ill.
At first he thought that maybe he was simply overworking himself. Before starting this arrangement with Mobei-jun, he had worked in such stressful conditions, longing for his King.
Now he was content, he was constantly dressed up in his King's colors. (And ah. Fucked in his King's colors, too, since Mobei-jun could not stand the sight of his human dressed in his clothes without fucking him.)
He was constantly fussed over, having now many servants, humans and not. (He was not sure why? He never needed servants before, but if his King insisted, how could he deny him anything?)
And finally, he was treated with much more respect. He knew the palace caught glimpse of their relationship, since his King had no problem fucking him where demons could hear, and even less interess in leaving Qinghua unmarked. But he was respected more than he had been in years.
Still, he thought that maybe he was still stressing himself without realizing. Managing the north was a big deal!
Then he started feeling nauseous. And then he started to feel tired. And then he started feeling dizzy.
And his king forced him to a human healer, the best one they had in the palace.
He wasn't worried, but Mobei-jun surely was!
The healer seemed to be nervous in his King's presence.
"Ah- my King, maybe you could… wait outside?" He suggested meekly.
"...why." his King spat out, clearly frustrated by how strangely Qinghua was feeling these last few days.
"Because it's– it's private, you see."
The healer was sweating and not understanding how a mere human could dare to talk this way to a demon Lord.
But Mobei-jun ignored him and ignored Shang Qinghua's words.
"There's nothing I haven't seen of Qinghua already." He mutters, impatiently, arms crossed.
But Qinghua was unrelenting. "My King…" he sighed, a little on the fond side of things. "I don't want you here now, come back after the visit? I'm not ill or anything! You'll see, I'm not dying, I swear."
Mobei-jun paused, but nodded slightly. "Qinghua is not allowed to." And then, he left.
The visit went– alright.
…
No. He was lying, the visit went tremendously.
Not even two seconds where the healer felt his Qi and he already took a step backwards.
"... Advisor Shang, are you– ah. Aware of your condition?"
Eh? What condition?
He said just as much.
"Ah. What condition, exactly?" He smiled sheepishly.
"I know I've been vomiting a bit and all, but I thought I had some kind of stomach bug? Are you talking about that?"
The doctor gulped. "A-ah. Advisor Shang, i Know you must not feel that confident in your consort role yet, but there's no reason to shy away from a doctor." Shang Qinghua stilled. What? What consort role? But the doctor continued. "I'm sure our lord would be immensely happy to hear you are with child. Let me just–" and with that the doctor tried to go and call Mobei-jun, but Shang Qinghua grabbed him by the wrist trembling.
"Wait!–" Qinghua called out, but he did not know what to say. If a doctor said he was– he was with child, it meant he could feel the double heart beat through his Qi , but he did not want to know how Mobei-jun would react.
"Please, please, don't– don't tell him."
He couldn't do this to him! Mobei-jun had yet to announce a consort, even if for some reason this healer thought that was his role, it just couldn't be. And to think Mobei-jun tethered to him by a child his King would feel forced to care for…
He couldn't do this to him.
The doctor frowned. "Advisor Shang… please, I'm sure he would like to know."
But before Shang Qinghua could refuse, Mobei-jun made himself known into the room.
"Know what." He demanded.
Ah. He must have heard him agitated, but now…
He tried to grab the doctor to force him to not say anything more, but the doctor was too scared of Mobei-jun to stay silent.
"That- t-that consort Qinghua is with child, my Lord!"
Ah, for fuck sake. He was doomed.